Wg 


i-l 


HISTORY 


OF  THE 


\' 


^:'^^- 


^1%^ 


^^ 


w 


%. 


,t¥«^' 


■K%' 


.m., 

'^■^^'^'r 


■>''  \-* . 


rm\\ 


OWN  OF  DOUGLAS. 


W.  A.  EMERSON 


KJi^a^r^TJ^. 


i^Si,  *.^  r^'-^  ^ 


PLEASE  HANDLE 
WITH  CARE 

University  of 
Coniicclicut  Libraries 


3   ^1S3   DlE7iaS3   M 


GAYIORDRG 


•■\ 


^J^^  T^L^MnX 


'^^'•^  s^ 


)       '  ' 


xJ^. 


O  nu:iLyy\jdj:^yGryn^ 


''jUruo^^  S^  o^McA  ■       I 


BIRDS-EYE   VIEWS 
Of  East  Douglas  and  Douglas  Centre. 


f 


HISTORY 


OK   THE 


TOWN  OF  DOUGLAS, 

(MASSACHUSETTS,) 


From  thk  Earliest  Period  to  the  Close  of  1878. 


BY  WM.  A.  EMERSON. 


BOSTON : 

Published    by    Frank    W.    Bird, 

OLD  BOO  A'  SHOP, 
37  CoRNHiLL,  32  Brattle  Street,  and  Cornhill  Steps. 

1879. 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1879,  by 

Wm.  a.  Emerson, 

In  the  Clerk's  oflace,  District  of  Massachusetts. 


J    A.  A  R.  A.  KriD,  Prlntera,  Prorldence,  R.  1. 


TO 


THE   MEMORY    OF 
MARIA  W.  EMERSON, 

WITHOUT  WUOSE   LOVING  ENCOUKAGEMENT  THIS   WORK  WOULD  NOT 
HAVE  BEEN  UNDERTAKEN. 


INTRODUCTION 


N^  a  certain  sense  it  may  be  said  that  all  men  are  his- 
torians, and  great  lovers  of  historj'  too  ;  and  that 
a  talent  for  this  is  a  sort  of  inherent  element  in 
man's  intellectual  constitution.  Is  not  the  brain 
of  every  individual  crowded  quite  full  with  the  his- 
toric incidents,  great  and  small,  which  go  to  make 
up  the  vast  aggregate  of  human-  experiences?  Our 
ver}'  speech,  too,  is  curiouslj'  historical.  How  many 
there  are  who  only  speak  to  narrate,  which  is  onl3'  to  historize? 
As  men  are  always  fond  of  telling  what  they  have  done,  or  seen, 
or  heard,  curiosity  is  so  natural  that  all  such  historians  are  sure  to 
be  listened  to.  Thomas  Carlyle  tersely  puts  it  in  this  way  :  ''  We 
do  little  but  to  enact  histor}-,  and  we  say  little  but  to  recite  it ; 
and  so  history  is  but  the  essence  of  innumerable  biographies." 

Those  who  have  never  written  or  assisted  in  writing  a  histor- 
ical work  of  any  kind,  even  of  a  less  miscellaneous  character  than 
a  town  history  necessaril}'  is,  are  not  aware  of  the  extent  and  va- 
riet}'  of  the  labor  requisite  in  its  preparation.  In  collecting  the 
material  which  has  been  wrought  into  the  present  volume  the  pub- 
lic libraries  of  lioston,  Worcester,  and  Providence  have  been 
placed  under  contribution  for  all  they  contained  that. could  throw 


Z  HISTORY  OF  DOUGLAS. 

light  upon  the  early  history  of  the  town  ;  the  records  of  Douglas^ 
Sherborn,  and  other  places,  many  of  these  being  difficult  to  col- 
late, have  been  examined  ;  ancient  manuscripts,  deeds,  private 
writings,  3'ellow  and  worn  with  age,  and  other  authentic  docu- 
ments have  been  sought  for  in  all  directions ;  histories  of  other 
towns  have  been  consulted,  dry  family  genealogies  compared,  the 
recollections  of  the  aged  snatched  from  forgetful ness,  and  the 
whole  mass  compared,  rearranged,  and  verified,  that  the  work 
might  be  as  correct  as  care  and  industry  could  make  it. 

The  publisher  desires  to  express  his  thanks  to  all  those  Who 
have  contributed  to  lighten  his  labors  in  the  compilation  of  the 
work,  and  begs  leave  to  refer  in  a  special  manner  to  Rev.  E.  A. 
Manning,  whose  experience  as  a  writer  made  him  an  invaluable 
assistant  in  the  work  of  reducing  the  material  from  a  crude  state 
to  its  present  attractive  form  and  arrangement.  Also  to  WiUiam 
H.  Briggs,  Esq.,  George  W.  Spencer,  Edwin  Moore,  Aaron  M. 
Hill,  Rev.  William  T.  Briggs,  Rev.  W.  W.  Dow,  Ira  Wallis,  Jus- 
tin B.  AVhipple,  A.  F.  Brown,  Esq.,  and  Joseph  Hunt,  who  have 
in  various  wa^s  rendered  him  most  valuable  service. 

For  many  of  the  historical  facts  obtained  he  feels  under  great 
obligation  to  the  American  Antiquarian  Society  of  Worcester,  to 
whose  extensive  repository  of  buried  learning  he  has  had  constant 
access,  through  the  kindness  of  the  Librarian,  S.  F.  Haven,  Esq., 
as  well  as  to  the  courteous  Assistant  Librarian,  Mr.  Edmund  Bar- 
ton, without  whose  valuable  aid  the  historical  worth  of  the  work 
would  have  been  much  diminished. 

For  statistics  relating  to  the  war  of  the  rebellion  he  has  relied 
chiefly  upon  the  reports  of  Adjutant-General  Schouler,  and  the 
statements  of  soldiers  who  participated  in  the  struggle. 

He  is  also  indebted  to  Samuel  Elias  Staples,  Esq.,  President  of 
the  Worcester  Society  of  Antiquity,  and  to  Professor  Homer  B. 
Sprague  of  Boston,  for  the  interest  they  have  shown  and  for  infor- 
mation furnished. 


INTRODUCTION.  3 

In  conclusion,  he  desires  to  express  his  gratification  at  the  sat- 
isfactory manner  in  which  the  tj'pographical  and  mechanical  part 
of  the  work  has  been  executed  by  Messrs.  J.  A.  &  R.  A.  Reid,  of 
Providence,  R.  I.,  and  also  to  express  his  appreciation  of  the  in- 
terest they  have  shown  in  making  this  volume  in  every  possible 
way  satisfactory. 

With  this  brief  apology  for  our  work,  we  commend  it  to  all 
those  who  can  appreciate  the  past  in  the  corporate  career  of  our 
town,  as  having  a  just  and  honored  claim  upon  at  least  the  re- 
spectful regards  of  the  present ;  and  to  all  as  a  most  impressive 
illustration  in  detail  of  the  capabilities  of  our  common  but  bur- 
dened humanity-,  under  the  wholesome  inspiration  of  free  institu- 
tions based  upon  religion  and  learning,  without  which  they  gravi- 
tate inevitably  to  unthrift  and  barbarism. 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTf:K     I. 

FiusT  Occupation  of  the  Towx. — Wlien  the  Town  Was  First 
Named  — Tlie  First  White  Settlers  Chielly  from  Slicrborn  — 
Prior  Abuse  of  tlie  Territory  by  Otlier  Towns  —  Historic  As- 
sociations of  the  Name  —  IJeason  for  Its  Adoption  —  Original 
Boundaries  of  the  Douglas  Donation  —  Dr.  Jennison's  Desire  to 
Change  the  Xanie  —  Present  Area  and  Bounds  —  (icological  and 
General  Formation  —  IJeference  to  Purgatory  —  Lakes  and 
Ponds  —  Connection  with  Indian  History  —  Their  Kindly  Rela- 
tions to  the  Whites  —  John  Eliot  and  the  Praying  Indians  — 
Population  by  Decades  Since  IT'.K),  and  Desirableness  of  Douglas 
as  a  Summer  Resort  —  I'nion  Evangelical  Camp  Ground 

Pages  17-24 

CHAPTER     II. 

From  1746  to  Allotment  of  SriioRuonN  Nkw  Grant.  —  Scarcity 
of  Early  Records  —  Sherborn  Records  Show  Douglas  Colonized 
by  Inhabitants  of  that  Town  —  Territory  Originally  Granted  in 
Consideration  of  Land  and  Families  Set  ()1Y  from  Sherborn  to 
P'ramingham  —  Action  of  Sherborn  Town-meeting  Thereon 
Names  of  Committee  to  Apportion  the  Territory  —  Their  Re- 
ward for  Services  —  Territory  of  the  Draper  and  ^Murdish  Fam- 
ilies set  off  to  IJxbridge  —  Purchase  of  Dr.  William  Douglas  — 
Titles  Fi.xed  by  Lot  —  Number  of  Original  Proprietors  —  The 
Morse  Family  —  New  Grant  of  .■>,000  Acres  to  Twenty  Proprie- 
tors—  Ministerial  Grant  —  Grant  of  the  Boston  Men's  Farm,  or 
Wallum  Pond  —  Grant  and  Gratuity  to  Governor  Bradstreet's 
Son  —  Names  of  Early  Settlers  —  Gratuity  to  Epliraim  Hill,  as 
F'irst  Settler  —  Town  Action  on  Report  of  Committee  on  Lay- 
ing Out  the  Land Pagks  25-30 

C  H  A  P  T  E  K     ill. 

Allotment  of  OniKU  Gr.'^nts.  — Names  of  Original  Proprietors, 
and   Numbers    of   their  Allotment  —  Diagram  of  the  Plan  of 


6  HISTORY    OF    DOUGLAS, 

Allotment  of  the  Sherborn  New  Grant  —  Keport  of  Commit- 
tee on  Surveyinf;  —  Ccncrcsity  of  one  Proprietor  —  Special 
Grant  to  P'irst  Settler — \cw  Grant  of  4,000  Acres  from  the 
State,  and  IIovv  Disposed  of  by  Order  of  Town-meetin}f  —  In- 
habitants of  Towns  of  Holliston  Included  in  the  Grant  —  Lists 
of  Proprietors  and  Numbers  of  New  Allotments        .         Paues  32-39 

CHAPTER    IV. 

FitOM  1735-1754.  —  Town-meeting  in  Holliston  —  An  Agent  Ap- 
pointed to  Protect  Holliston  Proprietors'  Kights — Trespassers 
to  He  Looked  After  —  Arrangrnicnts  to  Settle  with  Tresi)assers, 
and  for  P'stablishing  Regular  Preaching  —  Land  Appropriation 
for  a  School  and  School-house  —  Coniniittee  to  Adjust  Bounda- 
ries with  Other  Towns  and  Proprietors  —  Agents  to  I'rosecute 
Trespassers  on  Cedar  Swamp  Lands  —  Provision  for  Transcribing- 
the  Proprietors'  Records  —  Earliest  Records  Extant  of  Douglas 
Town-meeting  —  A  Sutton  Farm  Annexed  to  Douglas  —  Meas- 
ures Adopted  for  Laying  Out  Roads,  and  Appropriations  There- 
for—  List  of  Legal  Voters  in  1748  — How  the  Elective  Fran- 
chise Was  Then  Regarded  and  Guarded  —  School  Provisions  — 
Verbatim  Copy  of  Town  Vote  —  First  Meeting-house  —  Town- 
meeting  Warrants  Jealously  Criticised  —  Dispute  Thereon  Be- 
tween the  Town  and  Captain  Hill  Settled  by  General  Court  — 
School  for  Six  Months  —  Deficiency  in  Rev.  Mr.  Phipp's  Salary 
—  Width  of  Highways  —  Refusal  to  Raise  Minister's  Salary  — 
Sexton's  Pay — Price  of  Indian  Corn — Demand  on  Dr.  Doug- 
las for  His  Promised  Donation  — Rank  and  Duties  of  Ti thing-men 

Pages  41-53 

CHAPTER    V. 

Fkom  1754-1701.  —  Pleasanter  Aspect  of  Negotiations  with  Rev. 
Mr.  Phipps  on  the  Salary  Question  —  Queer  Settlement  Between 
Him  and  the  Town  Treasurer  —  Grant  for  Schools  —  Tax  on 
Distilled  Spirits,  and  the  Comparatively  Small  Amount  Con- 
sumed in  Town  —  Five  Schools  Ordered  to  be  P^stablished  —  Pe- 
tition for  a  Lottery  to  Repair  the  Road  —  Burying  Ground 
Fenced  —  How  Counterfeit  Money  Used  to  be  Disposed  Of  — 
How  the  "Bulls"  and  "Bears"  Were  Viewed  in  1780— Main 
Street  When  it  Had  a  Toll  gate  —  Transportation  Business  in 
1812,  and  How  the  Teamsters'  Army  Managed  —  Paul  Dudley's 
Tavern  at  Nightfall  — The  Old  Brick  Tavern  on  the  Caleb  Hill 
Place  Described,  with  Fac  Simile  of  the  Old  Sign  —  Rendezvous 
of  Voters,  and  tiie  Sympathizers  witii  the  Shays  Rebellion  — 
The  Old  Providence  and  Douglas  Turnpike  in  1808  — The  Old 
Coffee-hou.'^e  —  Names  of  the  l-'aniilies  Living  on  the  Tiirn])iko 
in  1814  — Site  of  the  Old  Distillery -State  and  Town  Officers 
Obliged  to  Abjure  the  King  and  Queen  of  England  —  Bridge  over 


CONTf:NTS.  7 

Mumford  River  —  Voted  Not  to  Permit  Inoculation  to  Prevent 
Sniall-pox  Spreadiiif^  —  Terrible  Uavaj^es  of  this  Disease  —  Voted 
to  "  Color  "  the  Meetinjr-house  —  Map  of  Town  ( )rdered  —  First 
Representative  in  Congress  from  Douglas  —  Letter  from  Ilim 
to  tho  Town  —  Account  of  Town  Treasurer  in  1701      .     Packs  54-65 

CHAPTER    VI. 

War  op  the  Rkvolutiox. — Creatness  of  the  Struggle  Necessi- 
tated by  the  Revolutionary  War  —  Grandeur  of  tlic  Result  — 
Fatality  Attending  all  Prior  Efforts  for  (iovernmental  Organiza- 
tion in  America  by  Spain,  Portugal,  the  Cabots,  Verrazzano,  Fer- 
dinatul  de  Soto,  etc.,  etc.  — Patriotic  Stand  of  Douglas  During 
the  Struggle,  Hoth  in  Military  and  Civil  Relations  —  Coniniittee 
of  Conference  witli  Otlier  Towns  —  Sani'l  Jennison's  Valuable 
Services —  How  the  .Judges  Capitulated  —  Clerk  of  Court  Sum- 
moned Before  Convention  at  Worcester  —  Removal  of  the  Of- 
fice of  the  Massachusetts  Spy  from  Boston  to  Worcester  — 
Douglas  Represented  in  the  Provincial  Congress  at  Salem  in  1774 
—  Peremptory  Message  to  the  British  Governor  Gage  —  Salem's 
Most  Efficient  Action  in  Capturing  British  Vessels  —  Endorse- 
ment of  Mr.  Jennison  by  tlic  Town        ....      Pages  CC-72 

CHAP  TER    VII. 

Revoi.utionakv  Wak  —  Continued. —  Culmination  of  Excitement 
Against  the  King  in  Boston  —  Douglas  People  Eager  for  the 
Fight  —  Town  Affairs  Put  on  a  War  Footing  —  Minute-men  Ap- 
pointed and  Invited  to  Accept  Pay  —  Ammunition  and  Arms 
Freely  Contributed  —  Sharing  the  Pecuniary  Burdens  of  the 
Oppressed  Patriots  in  Boston  —  Twenty-two  of  the  Refugees 
Received  in  Douglas  —  Prisoners  Guarded  by  the  Douglas  Vet- 
eran, Captain  Hill  —  After  the  Battle  of  Lexington  the  Soldiers' 
Families  Supported  by  the  Town  —  Vigilance  Committee  to  At- 
tend to  Suspicious  Persons  —  Contributions  by  the  Town  for 
the  Sappers  and  Miners  in  the  Army — More  than  £70.000,  Ex- 
clusive of  Bounties  and  Indirect  Expenses,  Contributed  by  the 
Town  —  Its  Quota  Filled  Every  Time         .        .        .  Pages  73-77 

CHAPTER    VIII. 

Revolutionauy  Waii  —  Continued.  —  Prominence  of  Douglas  in 
Formation  of  State  Government  —  Copy  of  Dr.  Jennison's  Draft 
of  Call  for  State  Convention  —  Troubles  Arising  from  the  De- 
pressed Condition  of  the  Finances  —  How  the  Town  Proposed 
a  Remedy  —  Formal  Petition  to  the  Legi.slature  —  Causes  of  the 
General  Dissatisfaction  Set  Forth  —  The  Famous  "Shays  Rebel- 
lion," and  What  Connection  the  Town  Had  With  it  —  Vote  of 
the  Town  in  the  Succeeding  Gubernatorial  Election  —  Vote  of 
the  Town  on  Accepting  the  State  Constitution,  and  Some 
Amendments  Proposed Pages  78-86 


8  HISTORY   OP   DOUGLAS. 

CHAPTEK     IX. 

Town  Action  ox  Education.  —Earliest  Records  on  Educational 
Plans  —  Pioneer  School-house  —  Difficulties  Connected  with  At- 
tcndin<j  First  School  —  Paucity  of  Instrucion  Then  —  f 'onimend- 
able  Progress  in  Provisions  for  Schooling  the  Cliildren  — 
Sinjfular  Species  of  Vendue  —  Investment  of  School  Fund  — 
Heading-schools  Established  in  Various  Parts  of  the  Towii  — 
Api)r()i)riati()ii  for  Sui)p()rt  of  Schools  in  Five  Sections  of  the 
Town,  Divided  into  "  Sijuadrons"  — List  of  Six  of  These  Squad- 
rons in  the  Succeeding  Year  — Cost  of  New  School-house  in  the 
Center  —  Cost  of  Schooling  Between  1747  and  1770 — Multipli- 
cation of  School-houses  —  Ten  Districts  in  Existence  as  Early 
as  17(30  —  [For  other  Educational  Doings  see  Chapter  XXI.] 

Pages  87-91 
CHAPTER    X. 

Church  Organizations.  —  Installation  of  First  Minister —  Mem- 
bership Composed  of  Some  Residents  from  Sutton  —  Length  of 
Time  in  Building  First  Meeting-house  —  Frame  Buildings  Rare 
Things  in  Those  Days  —  Prominence  of  Religious  Matters  in 
Town  Meetings  —  Uncertain  Character  of  Ministers'  Salaries  — 
Value  of  a  Busliel  of  Corn  —  Windowless  and  Floorless  Churches 

—  First  Plastering  of  the  Cinirch —  Meeting-house  Funds  Taken 
for  School  Purposes  —  Opposition  to  the  Church  —  Vote  to  Raise 
Minister's  Salary,  andSubsetiuently  Rescinded  —  Pastor  Stone  in 
1789  Asks  a  Dismission  —  Compromi.se  Effected  —  Renewal  of 
Ilis  Request  for  Dismission  in  1805  —  Baptists  in  1770  Relieved  of 
Assessment  for  Minister  —  Quakers  Follow  Suit,  but  Do  Not 
Succeed  so  Well — History  of  the  (hurcli  fiom  Its  Organization 
to  1870  —  History  of  the  Second  Congregational  Church  in  East 
Douglas,  with  List  of  the  Original  Members  Brought  Down  to 
1879  —  History  of  the  Reformed  Methodist  Church,  South  Doug- 
las— History  of  the  Reformed  Methodist  Church  in  East  Douglas 

—  History  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Cluircli  in  East  Douglas  — 
History  of  the  Quaker  Church  in  South  Douglas  —  History  of 

the  Catholic  Church  in  East  Douglas        .        .        .        Pages  92-112 

CHAPTER     \ 1  . 

War  of  the  Reukllion.  —  Douglas  in  the  Rebellion  —  Number 
of  Men  Furnished  —  Honorable  Record  of  the  Town  in  Regard 
to  This  Struggle  —  Amount  of  Money  F'xpended —  List  of  Town 
Meetings  to  Act  on  Questions  Relating  to  the  War — Aid  for 
Soldiers'  Families  —  Confereiu'c  with  the  Towns  of  Nort!d)ridge 
and  Uxbridge  —  Complete  List  of  Douglas  Soldiers  by  Regi- 
ments—  Nanuis  of  Douglas  Soldiers  Killed.  Wounded  and  Mis.s- 
ing  During  the  War  —  Decoration  Day  Observances     Pacjes  113-121 


CONTENTS.  9 

CHAPTER    XII. 

Newspapehs  and  Otiieu  Publication's.  —  History  of  the  Doug- 
las Herald —  Its  Originators  Employes  in  the  Webster  Times 
Oflice  —  Consultation  of  Mr.  S])cii('fr  with  Leading  Citizens  of 
Douglas — AnnoiMucnient  of  the  Paper  by  Posters  —  Meagre 
Equipment  of  Office  —  its  I<]conomical  but  Energetic  Launch  — 
Cost  of  Presses  and  Type,  and  How  ],i(iuidated  —  Lo<!ation  of 
Eirst  IIead<iuarters  —  Eirst  Number,  and  the  Impression  Pro- 
duced— Increase  of  Patronage  and  Size  of  Paper — Jtetirenient 
of  Mr.  (i)uimby  —  New  Partner,  and  Eidargenient  in  Size  — 
Editor  Made  Postmaster— Local  ISIatters  Ventilated —Effect 
on  SuliscripMon  List — Benelits  of  Illustrated  Editions  —  Sub- 
scription List  Doubled  —  Co-operative  Plan  Tried  —  Enlarge- 
ment of  Its  Sphere  of  Local  Matter  to  Include  Whitinsville  — 
Proposal  to  Pemove  to  Blackstone  —  Einally  Ooes  to  Uxbridge 

—  Appears  as  the  Worcester  Soitili  ('mnpendhim  —  Peview  of  lis 
Course  and  History  —  Other  Minor  Publications — TJie  Adver- 
tiser—  Ilome  Joitnial         .        .         ...         .       Pages  122-130 

CHAPTER     XIII. 

Society  Organizations.  —  First  Douglas  Band,  with  Names  of 
Members  —  Second  Douglas  Band  and  Its  Organization  —  Its 
Successor,  and  the  Accident  When  Returning  from  Sutton  — 
Its  Resurrection  to  the  Tune  of  Yankee  Doodle  by  the  Irrepres- 
sible Reynolds  and  Balcome  —  History  of  the  Band  of  18oS-59  — 
The  Gallant  Enlistment  of  this  Band  When  the  Rebellion  Oc- 
curred —  Its  Present  Flourishing  Condition  —  Douglas  Literary 
Society  —  Douglas  Social  Library  —  Union  Lodge,  No.  88,  I.  O. 
of  O.  F.— Howard  Lodge,  No.  119,  I.  O.  of  O.  F.  —  Mumford 
River  Lodge  A.  F.  &  A.  M.  —  The  Social  Union— The  Douglas 
Lyceum  —  East  Douglas  District  —  East  Douglas  Musical  Society 

—  Douglas  Library  Association  —  Union  Temperance  Society 

and  Reform   Club Pages  1.31-141 

CHAPTER    XIV. 

BiOGRAPincAL  AND  GENEALOGICAL  RECORDS.  — Dr.  Wm.  Douglas 

—  Col.  Ezekiel  Preston  — The  Hill  Family  — Hunt  Family  — 
Thayer  Family  —  Wallis  Family  —  Whipple  Family  — Stone 
Family Pages  142-207 

CHAPTER    XV. 

Biographical  AND  Genealogical  Records. —  Rawson  Family 

—  Capt.  Benjamin  Wallis  and  Descendants  — Dudley  Family  — 
Amos  Gould  — Amos  Humes  — Russel  Titus  — Dudley  Balcome 
Ezra  Jones— Dea.  Warren  Hunt—  Dr.  William  Jennison  — 
Jonathan  Sprague  —  Homer  B.  Sprague  —  James  E.  Simmons 


10  HISTORY   OF   DOUGLAS. 

—  Fenner  Batcheller — Col.  Horace  Emerson —  Luther  Stone  — 
Dr.  Ezekiel  Wood  —  Charles  Hutcliins  —  Gardner  Chase  —  Dr. 
John  Taylor  —  Samuel  Lovctt  —  Dr.  D.  P.  White  —  Archelaus 
Stone  —  Milton  D.  Whipple  —  CuUen  Whipple  —  Lyman  Par- 
sons—  S.  W.  Heath  —  Jeremiah  B.  Luther  —  Warren  Humes  — 
Eunice  Balcome — Moses  Knapp  —  Welcome  Whipple,  Esq. — 
Theodore  Stone Pages  208-242 

CHAPTER    XVI. 

Maxufactitres.  —  Early  Development  of  Manufacturing  Enter- 
prise in  the  Town  —  Shingles,  Hoops  and  Barrel  Staves  First 
on  the  List  —  Saw  and  Grain  Mill  in  Eastern  Section  of  the 
Town  —  The  Wallis  Planing-mill  —  Samuel  Legg's  Fulling-mill 

—  Cragin's  Satinet-mill  —  Cragin  &  Co.'s  Cotton  and  Woolen 
Factory  —  Adams  &  Co.'s  Cassimere  Factory,  and  Their  Hard 
Fortune  —  Hazard's  Satinet-mill  —  Ellit,  Burt's  Plow  Factory  — 
Col.  Preston's  Cotton  Factory  —  Sweatland  &  Angel's  Machine 
Shop  —  Cragin  &  Co.'s  Nail  Factory  —  Adams  &  Co.'s  Power 
Loom  Manufactory — The  Lovett  Mill  —  Southworth's  Grist- 
mill—  Carpenter's  Tannery  —  Carpenter's  Shoe  Factory 

Pages  243-251 
CHAPTER    XVII. 

Manufactures  —  Continued.  —  First  Axe  Factory  —  Humble  Ori- 
gin—  Remarkable  and  Continuous  Success  of  the  Business  — 
Second  Establishment  for  the  Manufacture  of  Axes  —  Failure 
of  the  Hunt  Bros.  —  Resumption  of  the  Business  by  Oliver  — 
Boston  the  Most  Favorable  Depot  for  Their  Axes  —  Mr.  Cragin 
Becomes  Agent  for  Selling  Them  —  First  Employes  at  Axe-mak- 
ing—  Cullen  Whipple's  Drilling  Machine  —  Enlargement  of  the 
Shops  —  Captain  Scudder's  Partnership  —  Formation  of  "The 
Douglas  Axe  Manufacturing  Co." — Names  of  Employes  Prior 
to  Incorporation  —  Warren  Hunt's  Lease  of  the  Works,  and  His 
Handsome  Profits  —  Description  of  the  Company's  Works  at 
Gilboa  —  Ice  Embargo,  and  How  Broken  Up  —  Old  Fashioned 
Trip  Hammers,  or  Jumpers — Rolls  First  Used  —  Spanish  Ma- 
chets,  Cane  Knives,  etc.  —  Purchase  of  the  Lovett  Mill  — 
Thayer's  Grist  and  Saw-mill  —  Logee's  Carriage  Manufactory 

—  Wellman's  Grist-mill  —  Lee  and  Murdock's  Shoddy-mill  — 
Gleason's  Wheelwright's  Shop  —  Joseph  Bowen's  Undertaker 
and  Cabinet  Repair  Shop  —  L.  S.  Keith's  Carriage  and  Paint 
Shop  — AVillard  Whipple's  Harness  Shop  — S.  Rivers'  Horse 
Shoeing  and  Blacksmith's  Shop  — Eagle  Grist-mill        Pages  252-267 

CHAPTER    XVII L 

Douglas  Axe  Manufacturing  Co.  — Wonderful  Growth  of  Axe 
Manufacturing  —  Ex-Premier  Gladstone's  Admiration  of   the 


CONTENTS.  11 

American  Axe  —  Capital  Rcqviisite  for  the  Business  —  Its  Prin- 
•cipal  Departments  —  Motive  Power  Employed — Aggregate  of 
Iron,  Coal,  Grindstones,  etc..  Annually  Required  —  Detail  of  the 
Forging  Department  —  Peculiar  Method  of  Incorporating  the 
Steel  with  the  Iron  —  Symmetry  and  Scientific  Form  of  the 
Douglas  Brand  of  Axes  —  Rigid  System  of  Inspection  Employed 
—  Bunglers  Not  at  a  Premium  Among  the  Workmen,  and  Why 
Not — Process  of  Grinding,  and  Its  Perils  —  Tempering  Syste- 
matized for  Practical  Results  in  Axe  Production  —  The  Aes- 
thetics in  Axe-making,  and  Where  It  Comes  In      .        Pages  208-274 

CHAPTER    XIX. 

Incidents  and  Accidents. — Robbery  of  the  Axe  Company's 
Safe  —  A  Ponderous  Job,  but  Noiseless  in  Execution  —  Evident- 
ly Done  by  Veterans  in  Burglary  —  Removal  of  the  Safe  Entire- 
ly Across  One  Room  and  Partly  Across  Another  —  Front  and 
Top  of  Safe  Pried  Apart  —  Contents  Fished  Out  —  Fortunate 
Absence  of  Funds  for  Pay-day  —  Explanation  of  their  Opera- 
tions Being  Unheard  —  Amount  of  Property  Stolen  —  Suspect- 
ed Persons  Found  Innocent  —  Adventure  of  the  "  Douglas  Fleet " 
in  Boston  —  Captain  Balcome's  Facetious  Commandery  of  the 
Military  —  Wonderful  Muscularity  —  Yanquishment  of  a  Pugi- 
list at  Sight —  How  Tramps  Used  to  be  Managed  —  How  a  Man 
Was  Cured  of  the  Watch  Fever  —  The  Frightened  Quaker  —  La- 
Fayette  and  the  Horses  He  Borrowed  in  Douglas  —  Dueling  Party 
Visits  Douglas  —  Lovell  Pulsipher's  Ingenious  Plan  for  Abate- 
ment of  the  Town  Tax Pages  275-289 

CHAPTER     XX. 

Centennial  Fourth  of  July  in  East  Douglas. — Widespread 
Observance  of  Human  Birthdays  —  Increasing  Intelligence  Se- 
cures General  Recognition  —  National  Birthdays  Proportionately 
Important — One  Hundredth  Anniversary  Deserved  Especial 
Observance  —  What  it  Celebrated — Double  Victory  over  Eng- 
land, and  Subjugation  of  the  Rebellion  —  Promptitude  in  Car- 
rying out  Centennial  Fourth  —  Doings  Preliminary  —  Illumina- 
tion and  Torchlight  Procession  —  Trades'  Display,  etc.  —  Civic 
Procession  and  Public  Addresses  —  Dinner  and  Exercises  at 
Table  —  Union  Prayer-meeting  —  Afternoon  and  Evening 
Amusements  —  Remarkable  Good  Order  During  the  Jubilee 

Pages  290-296 
CHAPTER     XXI. 

Educational  Addenda.  —  Educational  Efforts  in  1797  —  Wallum 
Pond  Hill  District  Organized  —  Reorganization  of  Districts  — 
School  Money  Divided  pro  rata  —  Rebuilding    of    the    Burnt 


12  HISTORY    OF    DOUGLAS. 

South  School-house  —  Committee  to  Define  Limits  of  the  Dis- 
tricts—  Abolition  of  District  System  by  the  State  —  Town 
Action  Ilestorinff  the  System  of  Districts  —  Special  Provision 
by  the  Town  for  East  Douf^las  —  Repairs  in  Nos.  9  and  10  Dis- 
tricts—  Report  of  Town  Committee  for  1878  —  High  School 
Established  —  Subscribers'  Names  —  Building  Committee  — 
How  Maintained —  Dr.  AYood's  Donation  —  Litigation  over  this 
Fund  —  Revising  Standard  of  Admission  to  High  School  — 
Three  Years'  Course  Adopted  for  Graduation         .        Pages  297-307 

CHAPTER      XXII. 

The  Moses  Wai.t.ts  Devise  —  Singular  Character  of  the  Docu- 
ment—  Obligations  of  the  Town  in  Accepting  the  Trust  —  Pres- 
ent Status  of  the  Devise  After  Thirty-seven  Years'  Investment   . 
—  A  Correct  Copy  of  the  Original  Will  .  .         Pages  308-316 

APPENDIX. 

Supplementary  Rebellion  War  Record  —  Response  of  Massachu- 
setts to  the  President's  Call  for  Three  Months'  Men  —  Prompt 
Rally  of  the  Troops  in  Boston  —  First  Companies  to  Reach 
Boston  —  Call  from  Washington  for  More  Soldiers  —  Departure 
of  First  Troops  from  Boston  for  Washington  —  Memorable 
Passage  Through  Baltimore  —  Governor  Andrews'  Call  for 
Three  Years'  Men  —  Plan  of  Organizing  and  Numbering  the 
Regiments  —  First  Three  Regiments  Organized  —  Eleventh 
Regiment,  and  Lieutenant-Colonel  Trij^p's  Narrative  of  Its 
Services  and  Casualties  —  Fifteenth  Regiment  at  Ball's  Bluff 
and  Gettysburg  —  Brigadier-General  Gibbons'  Complimentary 
Order  —  Eighteenth,  Twenty-second,  Twenty-fourth,  Twenty- 
fifth,  Twenty-seventh,  Twenty-eighth,  Thirtieth,  Thirty-third, 
and  Thirty-sixth  Regiments,  with  Lists  of  Douglas  Soldiers 
and  Casualties  —  Fifty-first  Regiment  —  Its  Gallant  Volunteer- 
ing After  Expiration  of  Enlistment,  and  Colonel  A.  B.  R. 
Sprague's  Official  Reports — Fifty-seventh  and  Fifty-eighth 
Regiments  —  First,  Third,  and  Fourth  Massachusetts  Cavalry, 
and  Bravery  of  Colonel  Frank  Washburn  —  First,  Second,  and 
Sixteenth  Massachusetts  Heavy  Artillery  —  First,  Second, 
Fourth,  and  Seventh  Rhode  Island  Volunteers  —  First,  Second, 
and  Third  Rhode  Island  Cavalry  — -  Third  Rhode  Island  Heavy 
Artillery  —  Thirteenth,  Eighteenth,  and  Twenty-sixth  Con- 
necticut Volunteers  —  Engineer,  Signal,  and  Veteran  Reserve 
Corps  — United  States  Navy,  etc Pages  317-359 


List  of  Illustrations, 


NO.  SUB.JECT.  PAGE, 

1.  Birb's-eye  View  of  East  Douglas,      .         .         .    Frontispiece. 

2.  Bikd's-eye  View  of  Douglas  Center,  .         .     Frontispiece. 

3.  Piece  of  Petrified  Wood,         ......  21 

Arrowheads  and  Other  Indian  Relics,        ...  22 

5.  Indian  Camping  Ground,          ...         .         .         .  22 

6.  Residence  of  A.  J.  Thayer,  East  Douglas,  .  .  28 
First  Cong.  Church,  Erected  1748  at  Douglas  Center,  31 
Diagram  of  the  Several  Land  Grants,  .  .  : 
Residence  of  Chas.  A.  Caouette,  East  Douglas,  .  36 
Residence  of  Dea.  Albert  Butler,  East  Douglas,  ,  40 
Residence  of  A.  F.  Jones,  East  Douglas,  ...  40 
Residence  of  Mrs.  Adaline  Starrett,  East  Douglas,  47 
Residence  of  Rev.  W.  W.  Dow,  Douglas  Center,  .  47 
Thayer's  Block,  East  Douglas,  .....  56 
Moses  Hill  Tavern  Sign, 69 


4. 


7. 

8. 

9. 
10. 
11. 
12. 
13. 
14. 
15. 


14 


HISTORY    OP    DOUGLAS. 


NO.  SUB.IECT. 

16.  Kesidence  of  Dk.  A.  E.  Kemp, 

17.  Residence  of  Rev.  Wm.  T.  Briggs, 

18.  Autographs  of  Thirty-one  Prominent  Douglas  Men, 

19.  Portrait  of  Rev.  David  Holman,   .... 

20.  First  Congregational  Church,  Douglas  Center, 

21.  Second  Congregational  Church,  East  Douglas, 

22.  Interior  of  Old  Reformed  Methodist  Church, 
2.3.  Reformed  Methodist  Church,  East  Douglas, 
24.  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  East  Douglas, 
2.5.  Catholic  Church,  East  Douglas,    . 

26.  Office  of  Douglas  Herald  (Knapp  Building) 

27.  Office  of  Douglas  Herald  (Arcade),     . 

28.  Douglas  Band, 

29.  Residence  of  Moses   H.   Balcome, 

30.  Residence  of  D.   M.   Lee, 

31.  Portrait  of  Dea.  Warren  Hunt, 

32.  Autograph  of  Jonathan  Sprague, 

33.  Autograph  of  Fenner  Batcheller, 

34.  Autograph  of  Gardner  Chase, 
3.5.  Autograph  of  Lyman  Parsons,     . 

36.  Autograph  of  S.  W.  Heath, 

37.  Bird's-eye  View  OF  Whitin  Reservoir,  . 

38.  Bass  Fishing  at  Wallum  Pond, 

39.  Camping  Out  at  Wallum  Pond,   . 

40.  The  Moses  Knapp  Place,  East  Douglas, 

41.  Modern  axe,  ..... 

42.  Old  Axe,  Made  in  182-5, 

43.  Upper  Works  of  Douglas  Axe  Mf'g.  Co., 

44.  Howe  Factory  of  Douglas  Axe  Mf'g.  Co., 

45.  GiLBOA,  Douglas  Axe  Mf'g.  Co.,  . 

46.  Head  and  Bit  Forging  Shops  and  Lovett  Works, 

47.  Medals  Awarded  to  the  Douglas  Axe  Mf'g.  Co.  by 

THE  Massachusetts  Charitable  Association,  Unit- 
ed States  Centennial  Commission,  and  French 
Medal,  . 

48.  Medal  Awarded  to  the  Douglas  Axe  Mf'g.  Co.  at  the 

World's  Fair,  London,  1862, 

49.  Medal  Awarded  to  Dougl.is  Axe  Mf'g.  Co.  at  the 

Vienna  Exposition,  1863,  .         .         .         .         . 


PAGE. 

60 
69 
93 

98 
100 
103 
106 
107 
109 
111 
123 
123 
131 
217 
217 
220 
222 
225 
230 
335 
236 
238 
238 
238 
249 
253 
253 
255 
255 
255 
257 


259 
260 
261 


LIST   OF   ENGRAVINGS. 


15 


NO. 

50. 

51. 
52. 


54. 
55. 
5G. 
57. 
58. 
59. 
60. 
61. 
62. 
63. 
64. 


Axe 


SUB,IECT. 

Old   Red  Shop  and  Farm  Buildings  of    the  Douglas 
Axe  Mf'g.  Co.,     ...... 

Patterns  of  Axes  Made  by  the  Douglas  Axe  Mf'g.  Co. 

Overcoat  Steel  and  the  Douglas  Axe  Bit, 

Patterns  of  Hatchets  Made  by  the    Douglas 
Mf'g.   Co.,  

Claw  Hatchet,         ...... 

Burglars'  Tools  Used  in  the  Safe  Robbery, 

Residence  of  A.  F.  Brown,  Esq.,   ' . 

Residence  of  Charles  Hutchins,   . 

Residence  of  Jesse  B.  Sherman,     . 

Residence  of  L.  S.  Whipple, 

Residence  of  Edwin  Moore, 

Residence  of  John  M.  Rawson, 

Residence  of  A.  M.  Hill,        .... 

Residence  of  Ira  Wallis,       .        .  .         . 

Plan  of  Ball's  Bluff  Battlefield, 


PAGE. 

263 
269 
271 

273 

274 
275 
277 
281 
283 
293 
293 
299 
290 
305 
325 


,.^^;.=^'s 


CHAPTER  I 


FIRST   OCCUPATION    OF   THE   TOWN. 

IIP^  name  of  Douglas  was  fust  given  to  the 
territory  of  the  town  in  the  year  1746. 
"  New Sherburn," or  "New  Sherburn Grant," 
liad  pre^'iously  to  this  date  been  its  designa- 
tion since  its  first  occupancy  by  the  whites, 
which  was  as  earl}'  as  1715,  if  not  considera- 
bly earlier.  The  original  settlers  came  almost 
entirely  from  the  town  of  Sherburn,  though 
some,  and  probablj'  a  small  portion  of  them,  hailed  from  Natick, 
and  in  all  their  transactions  as  a  body  they  appear  to  have  invaria- 
bly acknowledged  their  allegiance  to  the  town  of  Sherburn.  The 
3'ear  in  which  the  present  name  was  given  is  clearly  that  of  1746, 
since  in  1745  a  new  road  was  laid  out,  and  the  records  show  that 
it  was  done  by  the  authorities  of  New  Sherburn,  but  in  all  subse- 
quent transactions  b}'  these  officers  the}'  are  recorded  under  the 
auspices  of  Douglas. 

At  the  time  when  these  pioneer  settlers  began  the  occupation 
of  the  town  large  tracts  of  land  within  its  present  hmits  bad  for 
some  years  been  annually  burned  over  in  the  spring  by  the  people 
residing  in  the  adjoining  towns  of  Oxford  and  Mendou,  in  order 
that  the  lands  thus  devastated  might  better  ansAver  the  purpose  of 
grazing  their  cattle.  The  excellent  qualities  of  the  territory  of 
Douglas  for  pasturing  had  at  this  early  date  become  well  known 
to  the  farmers  in  these  towns,  and  doubtless  the  same  fact  was  well 
understood  b}'  the  Sherburn  people  in  the  other  direction,  and  was 
probably  one  of  the  strong  inducements  governing  them  in  their 
courageous  venture  to  plant  themselves  here.  This  annual  destruc- 
tion of  immense  quantities  of  timber,  merely  for  the  purpose  of 
2 


18  HISTORY   OF    EAST   DOUGLAS. 

cni'icliing  tlius  smnmarily  their  borrowed  pasturage  ground,  was  not 
strange  on  the  part  of  these  neiglibors,  even  though  it  was  done, 
in  process  of  time,  at  the  expense  as  well  as  to  the  no  small  annoy- 
ance of  the  more  legitimate  occupants  of  the  land.  In  due  time 
it  came  to  an  end,  however,  though  not  witliout  calling  out  proba- 
bly some  vigorous  protests  from  those  whose  rights  were  thus 
encroached  upon. 

Carrying  us  back,  as  the  name  instinctively  does,  to  the  chival- 
rous days  of  Scottish  history,  when  the  proverb  was  in  vogue,  "  No 
man  may  touch  a  Douglas,  nor  a  Douglas's  man,  for  if  he  do  he  is 
sure  to  come  by  the  waur  (w'orse),"  the  question,  "  What 's  in  a 
name?"  is  one  not  entirely  unremuncrative  to  the  curiosity  of  a 
oenuine  son  of  the  old  town  of  Douglas.  In  view  of  the  fact  that 
the  old-world  contest  b}-  the  real  lords  of  the  soil  against  the  Stu- 
arts and  their  allies  was  really  revived  in  our  Revolutionar}-  strug- 
o'le,  we  think  it  will  not  be  ditticult  to  see  that  at  no  time  in  the 
past  were  the  Douglases  more  uncompromising  in  their  resistance  to 
the  haughty  and  baseless  demands  of  royalty,  or  less  entitled  to 
the  honor  of  having  inherited  the  republicanism  as  well  as  the  fear- 
less and  inde})endent  spirit  of  John  Knox  and  his  followers.  And 
lest  this  should  l)e  deemed  to  be  only  tlie  ebullition  of  a  merely 
senseless  obstinacy  to  monarchial  authority,  uncalled  for  in  reason, 
we  are  a))le  to  cite  oneof  the  noblest  instances  of  loyalty  to  the  king 
in  the  annals  of  an}"  country,  in  the  case  of  the  beautiful  and  heroic 
Catharine  Douglas,  maid  of  honor  to  (^ucen  Joanna,  who  threw 
herself  in  front  of  the  assassins  who  were  savageh'  thundering  at  the 
door  of  the  royal  apartments,  and,  substituting  her  own  arm  for 
the  bolts  that  had  been  treacherously  drawn,  she  held  the  door 
therewith  until  cut  down  at  her  post  bj-  the  swords  of  the  conspir- 
ators. 

But  it  is  time  for  us  to  trace  the  origin  of  the  name  borne  by  our 
town.  Dr.  William  Douglas,  an  eminent  i)hysician  of  Boston,  a 
Scotchman  bylnrth,  author  of  several  historical  and  medical  works, 
being  withal  a  somewhat  extensive  land  proprietor  in  various  parts  of 
the  State,  in  consideration  of  the  privilege  of  naming  the  township, 
ottered  the  inhabitants  the  sum  of  $')()()  (old  tenor),  as  a  fund  for 
the  establishment  and  maintenance  of  free  schools,  together  with 
a  tract  of  tliirty  aci-cs  of  land,  with  a  dwelling-house  and  ])arn 
standing  thereon.     It  was  stipulated  in  this  offer  that  this  land  was 


FIRST    OCCUPATION    OF   THE   TOWN.  19 

jiot  to  be  sold  by  the  town,  l)nt  it  was  sold,  nevertheless,  in  the 
■course  of  a  few  years  afterwards,  though  the  wise  and  kind  inten- 
tions of  the  donor  were  doubtless  full}'  met  b}'  the  inhabitants  in 
ordering  the  proceeds  to  be  carefully  invested  for  the  benefit  of  the 
school  fund.  Soniethino;  more  than  $'J00  of  the  money  thus  real- 
ized still  remain  in  tlie  keeping  of  the  town,  the  balance  having 
been  invested  in  nonproductive  securities.  It  is  said  also  that  a 
bell  waspi-omised  to  the  Center  School  by  Doctor  Douglas,  besides 
£^)0  a  year  for  seven  years  for  the  support  of  the  ministry, 
though  quite  a  portion  of  these  pledges  was  never  received  b}'  the 
town. 

The  location  of  the  thirty-acre  farm  is  supposed  to  have  been 
in  or  near  what  is  now  known  as  the  Douglas  AVoods,  through 
which  the  New  York  and  New  Elngland  Kailroad  is  located.  For 
the  gratification  of  the  curiosity  of  those  who  have  the  leisnre  to 
look  up  the  boundaries  as  they  stood  when  the  donation  was  made, 
we  insert  the  following  extract  from  the  original  deed,  which  bears 
the  date  of  May  8,  1750  :  ''  Northerly  on  the  Kange  Hue  i)arting 
the  second  and  third  Ranges  of  lots  ;  easterly  with  the  land  of  Dr. 
AVm.  Douglas  ;  southwardlv  with  the  Kanoe  line  i)arting  the  third 
and  fourth  Kanges  of  lots  ;  westwardly  with  the  land  of  Jonathan 
Fairbanks  by  metes  and  bounds  —  being  215  rods  in  length  and 
twenty-four  rods  in  width,  with  a  dwelling-house  on  said  land." 

Dr.  Sanuiel  Jennison,  a  man  whose  subsequent  jirominence  in 
the  history  of  the  town,  as  well  as  in  national  matters,  would 
certainly  seem  to  have  secured  for  him  the  highest  regard  of  his 
fellow-townsmen,  appears  at  a  later  date  to  have  become  anxious 
that  the  town  should  bear  his  name,  in  consideration  of  certain 
favors  which  he  was  ready  to  grant.  For  some  reason  his  propo- 
sition was  not  favorably  received,  since  on  the  11th  of  February, 
1771,  the  voters  were  assembled  to  see  if  they  would  petition  the 
General  Court  to  have  the  name  altered,  but  the  proposal  was 
rc\jected,  and  with  so  much  inianimity  that  it  was  never  again 
alluded  to.  Notwithstanding  the  failure  of  Doctor  Douglas  to 
make  good  all  of  his  promises  to  the  town,  the  inhabitants  chose 
still  to  honor  him,  or  else  were  content  not  to  ex})eiiment  further 
in  subsidized  cognomens,  and  hence  we  do  not  to-day  live  in  Jen- 
nison. 

The  area  of  the  town   now  comprises  about  thirty-three  square 


20  HISTORY    OF   EAST   DOUGLAS. 

miles,  or  about  21 ,000  acres.  It  is  Ijoiiiuled  on  the  north  b}" 
Oxford,  Sstton  and  Uxbridge,  on  the  east  by  Sutton  andl'xbridgc, 
on  the  south  b>-  BinTiUville  (R.  I.),  and  on  the  west  by  Thompson 
(Conn.)  and  AVebster.  Its  distance  from  Boston  is  fort^'-five 
miles,  with  which  it  has  a  direct  connection  over  the  New  York 
and  New  England  Railroad. 

The  geological  formation  consists  of  quartz,  feldspar  and  mica. 
Bowlders  are  plentifully  scattered  over  the  surface  in  nearlj^  every 
section  of  the  town,  and  gold  and  silver  ores  are  said  to  be  found 
in  some  localities,  though  not  in  sufficient  quantities  to  pay  for 
working.  Large  quantities  of  building  and  ornamental  stone  are 
quarried  from  the  granite  ledges  found  in  the  centre  of  the  town, 
which  are  shii)ped  to  almost  every  section  of  New  J^ngland. 

The  face  of  the  country  is  beautifully  diversified  with  hills  and 
valleys,  and  it  is  rendered  more  beautiful  in  many  sections  by  the 
cultivation  of  shade  and  ornamental  trees  by  the  roadside.  The 
numerous  lakes  and  ponds  within  the  limits  of  the  town  add 
greatly  to  the  beauty  of  the  scenery-,  and  the  waters  flowing  from 
them,  mingling  with  the  rivers  and  streamlets,  are  made  tributary 
to  the  wealth  and  prosperity  of  the  inhal)itants,  as  the  chapters 
under  the  head  of  "  Manufactures"  will  abundantly  show. 

The  principal  elevations  are  Bald  Hill,  711  feet  in  height; 
"VVallum  Pond  Hill,  778  feet ;  and  Mount  Daniel,  735  feet.  The 
largest  (^f  the  numerous  ponds  are  Wallum  Pond,  in  the  south- 
west part,  covering  about  150  acres  within  the  territory  of  Doug- 
las ;  BadluckPond,  in  the  western  part  of  the  town,  covering  about 
110  acres  ;  Reservoir  Pond,  also  in  the  western  limits,  covering 
about  400  acres  ;  and  Manchaug  Pond,  located  in  the  northern 
border,  covering  in  Douglas  ninety-three  acres.  Besides  these, 
Bating  Pond  is  found  in  the  southern  part  of  the  town,  and  Cham- 
berlin  Pond  in  the  west,  each  covering  a  small  extent  of  terri- 
tory. 

The  soil  is  varied.  In  the  central  and  eastern  sections  many  of 
the  farms  are  susceptible  of  easy  cultivation,  and  reward  the  labors 
of  those  who  till  them  with  remunerative  crops,  but  in  the  western 
section  there  is  an  unbroken  tract,  of  nearly  (5,000  acres  in  area, 
extending  neark  the  entire  length  of  the  town  from  north  to  south, 
and  comprising  nearly  one-third  of  the  whole  of  its  territory,  its 
surface  rocky  and  uneven,  and  covered  with  a  varied  gi-owth  of 


FIRST   OCCUPATION    OF   THE   TOWN. 


21 


wood  and  timber,  but  witli  scarcely  a  single  inhabitant.  Just  across 
tlie  boundary  line  which  separates  this  portion  of  the  town  from 
Sutton  is  located  a  natural  curiosity,  well  known  as  "  Purgatory," — 
a  weird  and  rugged  spot,  in  which  some  terrible  convulsion  of  nature 
lias  at  a  former  i)eriod  rent  asunder  the  solid  rocky  formation  of 
which  the  eiitii-e  region  is  chiefly  comjjosed.  leaving  a  chasm  of  some 
fifty  feet  in  width,  its  perfectly  vertical  walls  nearly  seventy  feet  in 
depth  in  some  places,  into  which  the  superincumbent  trees  and 
rocks  have  l)een  tumbled  in  wildest  confusion.     At  the  bottom  of 


PIECE    OF    PETRIFIED    WOOD    FOUND    OX    LAND    OF    SIMON    RAWSON. 


some  portions  of  this  frightful  gorge  may  sometimes  be  found  beds 
of  ice  far  into  the  summer  months,  and  visitors  who  are  at  the 
trouble  to  clamber  through  the  rugged  defile  find  the  air  strangely 
alternating  from  hot  to  cold.  Such  fantastic  names  as  ''Pulpit 
Rock,"  and  "The  Devil's  Corn-crib."  have  been  bestowed  on 
some  of  the  singular  forms  assumed  b}'  the  fallen  rocks. 

From  a  very  early  period,  probably  reaching  beyond  the  year 
1035,  bands  of  Indians,  principally  of  the  Nipmuck  tribe,  largely 
monopolized  the  beautiful  region  of  country  comprised  within  the 
sonthern  limits  of  Worcester  county,  the  Blackstone  river  being 
then  called  Nipnuick  river.  The  numerous  relics  of  Indian  war- 
fare as  well  as  of  daily  life,  which  have  been  exhumed  from  time 
to  time  b}-  the  plow  and  spade  within  the  area  of  Douglas,  show 


ARROWHEADS    AXD   OTHER   INDIAN   RELICS   FOUND   "WITHIN   THE 

LIMITS   OF   DOUGLAS, 
CHIEFLY    ON   THE    SIMON   RAWSON   PLACE. 


FIRST    OCCUPATION    OF   THE   TOWN.  23 

conclusively  that  this  was  one  of  the  fovorite  haunts  of  the  red 
man.  It  is  well  known  that  the  Indians  almost  invariably  select 
for  their  l)urial  grounds  the  most  picturesque  localities,  and  here 
tiie3'  must  have  congregated  quite  numerously,  pursuing  their  rude 
arts  of  husbanchy  and  predatory  life  combined. 

In  1674  Major  (Jookin,  with  that  distinguished  apostle  to  the 
Indians,  John  Eliot,  made  a  tour  through  the  Nipmuck  country, 
visiting  especially  among  the  "•  praying  Indians,"  who  are  said  to 
have  numbered  at  this  time  as  man}'  as  one  thousand,  from  which 
it  is  safe  to  conclude  that  the  Indian  population  in  this  region  must 
have  been  unusually  large  as  early  as  this.  No  records  exist 
showing  the  time  when  the  Nipmucks  constituted  an  independent 
ti'il>e.  They  seem  to  have  been  for  many  years  held  in  more  or 
less  subjection  to  the  neigh])oring  sachems. 

Until  the  fatal  war  of  1(575  these  sons  of  the  forest  lived  on  the 
most  pacific  terms  with  the  white  settlers,  proving  highly-  serviceable 
to  them  in  man}-  ways.  That  ferocity  so  generally  predominating 
iu  savage  life  seems  never  to  have  shown  itself  among  them,  such  was 
the  simplicity-  of  the  Nipmuck  character.  Up  to  this  time  no  pur- 
chases of  lands  were  allowed  to  be  made  from  the  Indians  witliout 
the  oversight  of  a  judicious  committee  of  the  General  Court,  so 
that  no  injustice  or  wrong  seems  to  have  occurred  on  either  side, 
each  seeming  to  realize  their  mutual  needs  and  obligations.  That 
they  were  constantly  interchanging  offices  of  kindness  and  neigh- 
borly assistance,  the  following  touching  incident  strikingly  exem- 
plifies :  At  one  time,  not  long  after  the  arrival  of  the  Puritans,  it 
became  known  to  these  Indians  that  their  new  neighljors  were  greatly 
in  want  of  bread,  and  one  of  these  miscalled  "  savages  "is  said  to 
have  carried  them  a  bag  of  corn,  believed  to  have  contained  as 
much  at  least  as  a  bnshel  and  a  half,  the  entire  distance  from 
the  southwest  part  of  Worcester  county  to  Boston.  It  is  doubtful 
if  the  records  of  civilized  life  will  present  man}-  such  instances  of 
persevering  goodness  nnder  similar  disabilities. 

The  census  of  Douglas  for  the  several  decades  since  the  year 
1790  shows  a  constant  gain  in  population,  though  moderate  in  the 
rate  of  increase.  Its  elevation  aljove  the  Blackstone  valley  on  the 
east,  and  the  valley  of  the  Quinel)aug  on  the  west,  secures  to  its 
residents  a  most  salubrious  and  invigorating  atmosphere,  and  those 
in  quest  of  permanent  residences  are  beginning  to  realize  the  ad- 


24  HISTORY   OP   EAST   DOUGLAS. 

vantages  aftbrdod  to  such  witliiu  its  limits,  as  the  rapid  gain  since 
1850  will  show  in  the  appended  table  : 

1790        ISOO        1810        1820        1830        1840        1850        1860        1875 


1,079       1,083       1,142       1,375       1,742       1,617       1,878       2,442       2,202 

Within  the  last  few  j'ears  a  camp  ground  has  been  established 
near  the  Center,  where  union  religious  services  of  the  evangelical 
order  are  regularly'  held  each  j'ear,  usually  closing  with  a  mass 
temperance  meeting,  conducted  on  the  plan  of  the  gospel  workers 
in  this  cause.  This  camp-meeting  enterprise  was  started  through 
the  earnest  etibrts  of  Mr.  George  M.  Morse,  of  Putnam,  Conn.,  a 
leading  manufacturer  of  that  town,  and  possessed  of  considerable 
wealth,  which  he  endeavors  seemingly  to  employ  as  far  as  possible 
in  the  promotion  of  rehgious  and  benevolent  efforts.  Large  num- 
bers of  people  from  the  different  towns  in  this  part  of  Massa- 
chusetts, as  well  as  from  the  closely  adjoining  States  of  Connecticut 
and  Rhode  Island,  attend  this  annual  gathering,  many  of  them 
during  the  ten  or  twelve  da^'s  of  its  continuance,  but  the  attendance 
is  mostly  by  those  who  can  leave  their  homes  in  the  morning  and 
return  at  night.  The  order  prevailing  at  these  meetings  is  almost 
invariabl}'  unexceptionable. 


CHAPTER    II. 


ALLOTMENT    OF    SIIKIl]'.OI!X    XEW    UUAXT. 

/E  have  been  unable,  after  careful  inquiry,  to  ob- 
tain any  reliable  local  facts  of  an  early  date  con- 
cerning the  settlement  of  the  town,  so  sparsely 
made  and  so  slightly  appreciated  in  their  real 
importance  and  desirableness  were  the  records 
of  those  eventful  times.  Doubtless  very  many 
incidents  of  a  most  intei-esting  and  even  thrill- 
ing character  transpired  in  connection  with  the 
venturesomeness  of  those  who  braved  peril  and  hardship  to  secure 
for  themselves  and  families  a  home  by  pushing  out  into  the  unoc- 
cni)ied  regions  of  the  country.  The  perusal  of  these  incarnations 
of  heroic  endurance  would  prove  invalua])le  to  us  of  to-day  in  many 
respects.  Napoleon  is  reported  to  have  said  that  the  history  of  au 
nnnj  could  not  be  written  till  that  of  its  several  regiments  had 
been  recorded  ;  and  neither  can  a  nation's  history,  nor  even  that 
of  a  State,  be  ft\irly  and  impartially  constructed  till  that  of  its 
towns  and  hamlets  is  collated. 

In  the  absence  of  these  important  data,  however,  the  history''  of 
its  connection  with  the  town  of  Sherl lorn  (the  present  legal  orthog- 
raphy of  *"  Sherliurn  "  since  the  action  of  the  Legislature  on  the 
subject  in  18.32)  will  furnish  us  much  valuable  material.  This 
old  town  was  incorporated  in  1G74,  but  when  P'ramingham  was 
erected  into  a  township,  in  1700,  the  General  Court  set  off  from 
Sherborn  seventeen  families,  with  their  estates,  to  be  included  in 
the  new  town.  This  proved  so  unsatisfactory  to  the  inhabitants  of 
Sherborn  that  they  ai)pealed  to  the  General  Court  for  redress,  and 
urged  their  complaint  so  vigorously  that  it  resulted  in  securing  to 


26  HISTORY    OF    EAST    DOUGLAS. 

thciii  two  valualtlo  land  grants.  From  tho  Shorborn  Town  Rec- 
ords the  followinu-  items  are  aijpended.  as  giving,  perhaps,  the 
only  legitimate  history  of  those  days  : 

Mai-ch  7.  1708.  — "  At  a  town  meeting,  legally  warned,  etc..  it 
was  then  manifest  to  ye  town  what  had  l)een  etf'ected  with  ye  Hon. 
General  Court  hy  our  Rei)resentutive,  Sam'l  BuUard.  concerning- 
ye  seventeen  families  on  ye  north  part  of  ye  town,  with  ye  accept- 
ance and  concurrence  of  ye  Court  herewith,  and  was  consented  tO' 
by  a  general  yote,  in  consequence  of  ye  loss  of  seventeen  families 
which  were  incorj^orated  with  ye  town  of  Framingham.  Ye  Gen- 
eral Court  granted  4,000  acres  of  land,  lying  westerly  of  ye  town- 
ship of  Mendon,  as  an  equivalent."  These  lands  were  called  Sher- 
born  \ew  (Jraiit,  and  the  grant  was  confirmed  in  1710. 

"Ata  meeting  of  ye  inhabitants  of  Sherborn,  June  1 7th,  1715,  to 
state  a  rule  whereby  3'e  4,000  acres  of  land,  late  granted  and  con- 
firmed to  ye  town  by  ye  General  Court,  in  lieu  of  ye  seventeen 
families  set  off  to  Framingham,  may  be  orderly  and  regularl}-  di- 
vided, to  and  among  ye  same  free  holders  and  inhabitants,  it  was 

'•  Voted,  That  ye  invoice  and  polls  and  ratable  estates  taken  in 
August,  1714,  shall  l)e  ye  rule  whereby  ye  4,000  acres  of  land  shall 
be  appropriated  among  ye  present  inhabitants  of  said  town  of  Sher- 
born, being  freeholders,  and  such  other  inhabitants  that  have  lived 
upon  hire  in  ye  town  for  some  time  ])assed. 

' '  Ye  first  committee  chosen  to  look  where  ye  town  may  l)e  ac- 
commodated with  ye  4,000  acres  of  country  land  was,  Dea.  Leland, 
Joseph  Sheffield,  and  lienj.  Whitney.  Ye  first  committee  chosen  to 
divide  ye  land  according  to  ye  rule  adopted  1)y  ye  town  was.  En- 
sign Sam'l  Bnllard,  Wm.  Rider,  Jr.,  and  Joseph  Death;  and  ye 
town  voted  them  400  acres  of  land  for  their  serA'ices.  This  com- 
mittee subsequently  declined  to  serve,  and  Dea.  Benoni  Larned, 
Eleazer  IIoll)rook,  John  Death,  Joseph  Ware,  and  Thomas  Jones 
were  chosen  a  conunittee,  and  ye  town  voted  that  they  should  not 
receive  but  3  shillings  per  day  for  their  ser^^ces."  It  was  also 
voted  "  that  ye  conmiittee  shall  begin  at  ye  northeast  corner  of  ye 
said  grant,  and  work  from  thence  westwardly  through  3'e  same  in 
ye  first  range  of  lots  ;  then  turning  and  running  eastw-ard  in  their 
work  through  ye  second  range  of  lots  ;  then  working  westward 
again  for  ye  third  range  of  lots  ;  and  lastly,  to  work  eastward  for 
ye  fourth  range  of  lots — ye  lots  to  be  200  rods  in  length  northerly 


ALLOTMENT  OF  SHERBORN  NEW  GRANT.  27 

.'iiul  southerly,  and  ye  breadth  of  'em  to  extend  easterly  and  west- 
erly, aceording  to  their  bigness." 

It  was  also  voted  "that  ye  proprietors  draw  lots  for  di\iding 
the  land,"  and  l)ea.  Ilopestill  Iceland  was  ehosen  to  draw  for  those 
of  the  i)roprietors  tliat  were  not  present.  This  4,(H)()-acre  grant 
was  divided  among  one  hundred  antl  live  persons,  seventeen  of 
whom  bore  the  name  of  Morse.  In  1715  another  grant  of  3,000 
acres  was  ()l)tained  by  the  town  of  Sherborn  ;  and  subsequently  by 
purchase  still  another  grant  of  3,700  acres,  all  of  which  was  di- 
vided according  to  the  rule  adopted  by  the  town. 

There  were  granted  "  to  twenty  proprietors,  of  a  place  called 
New  SherbiuMi.  afterwards  Douglas,"  at  some  time  i)rior  to  1730, 
an  area  of  4,;r24  acres  of  land  at  the  extreme  Avest  and  southwest 
part  of  the  town,  within  which  grant  were  "  400  acres  granted  to 
3'e  ministers,  and  IHO  acres  to  Nimon  C'hamberlin." 

About  this  time  there  were  set  otf  to  several  men  in  Boston  a 
large  tract  of  land,  on  what  is  now  known  as  AYalluin  Pond  Hill, 
then  known  as  the  Boston  Men's  Farm,  There  were  also  granted 
to  a  son  of  Gov,  Bradstreet,  for  some  meritorious  service,  500  acres 
of  land  in  what  is  now  the  northeast  corner  of  Douglas,  The  com- 
mittee sent  out  to  locate  this  land  for  him,  in  their  report,  recom- 
mended that  they  *■'  throw  in  GO  acres,  because  ye  land  was  of  such 
poor  (piality."  There  were  also  granted  to  David  Draper  GOO 
acres  of  land  in  the  northeast  corner  of  New  Sherljorn,  and  to  Na- 
thaniel Brewer  (called  afterwards  the  Brewer  Farm)  HOO  acres 
south  of  the  Draper  and  Bradstreet  gi-ant.  Brewer  subsequently 
sold  500  acres  of  his  grant  to  Benjamin  ^Nlurdish.  David  Draper 
and  Benjamin  Murdish  soon  after  this  petitioned  the  (leneral 
Court  to  be  set  to  the  town  of  Uxbridge,  and  they,  with  their  es- 
tates, the  eastern  line  of  which  was  near  the  school-house  on  Wil- 
liams Hill,  were  set  to  the  town  of  Uxbridge,  and  have  ever  since 
belonged  there.  The  remainder  of  the  Brewer  farm  is  now  divided 
into  the  farms  owned  by  Willard  Whipple,  Mrs.  Charles  Tha^'er, 
Mary  Prentice,  and  James  and  Chester  Williams,  the  farm  known 
as  the  Knapp  Farm  (now  owned  by  Wm.  A,  Perr}'),  and  the  lower 
village,  owned  b}'  the  Axe  Company." 

A  part  of  the  remainder  of  the  village  of  East  Douglas,  and  a 
strip  of  land  nearly  one  mile  wide,  and  extending  to  the  Uxbridge 
line  south  of  the  residence  of  Joseph  Hall,  was  sold  by  order  of 


ALLOTMENT   OF   SHERBORN    NEW   GRANT.  29 

tlio  General  Court,  Ai)iil  1,  1723,  "  in  ye  first  year  of  yo  reign  of 
our  Sovereign  Lord,  King  George  ye  Second,  to  Dr.  Wm.  Douglas. 
Hal)ijali  Savage,  John  Biiniing,  Wna.  Tyler  and  Andrew  Tyler." 
This  land  was  subsequently  divided  between  these  parties,  and  the 
Tylers  settled  upon  their  shares.  On  the  eastern  part  thereof, 
innnediately  south  of  this  Tyler  and  Douglas  grant,  was  the  first 
0,000-acre  grant,  the  nortli  line  of  which  must  have  been  not  far 
fioni  the  Martin  Four  Coiniers.  This  tract  was  two  and  a  half 
miles  long  from  north  to  south,  and  two  miles  wide  from  east  to 
west.  The  4,000-acre  grant  was  west  of  the  Bradstreet  grant. 
The  Brewer  Farm  and  the  Taylor  and  Douglas  grants,  the  east  line 
of  which  was  the  east  line  of  the  farm  formerly  owned  by  jMicah 
Hill,  extended  two  and  a  half  miles  from  north  to  south,  and  two 
and  a  half  miles  from  east  to  west,  the  west  line  being  near  the  east 
edge  of  Douglas  AV'oods.  The  last  grant  to  Sherborn,  of  3,700 
acres,  was  west  of  the  4,000-acre  grant,  and  extended  as  far  south 
as  the  present  residence  of  Mr.  Joseph  Morse,  and  included  within 
its  limits  Badluck  Cedar  Swamp.  Besides  these  there  were  various 
other  small  tracts  of  laud  granted  to  individuals,  together  with  sec- 
tions of  land  contiguous  to  these  respective  tracts,  which  were  desig- 
nated as  "  unknown  land,"  "  individual  land,"  and  "overplus  land." 
The  most  of  these  ba^■e  fallen  into  the  hands  of  adjacent  laud- 
holders. 

Among  the  first  settlers  of  the  town  we  find  the  well  known 
names  of  Morse,  Hill,  Brown,  Balcome,  AV'aUis,  Jones,  Whiting, 
Dudley,  Whitney,  Fairbanks,  Jepherson,  Reed,  Gould,  Thayer, 
Aldrich,  Humes,  and  man}^  others.  Mr.  Ephrahn  Hill  was  the 
first  white  man  that  settled  in  Douglas,  and  in  1721  the  town  of 
Sherborn  granted  him  twenty  acres  of  the  4,000-aci-e  grant,  in 
consideration  of  this  fact,  to  be  divided  to  him  with  his  other  land. 

The  Sherborn  Records  give  the  following  additional  information 
on  this  primary  division  of  the  territory  of  the  town  : 

"  At  a  meeting  of  freeholders  and  other  inhabitants  of  ye  town 
of  Sherborn,  regularly  assembled  by  legal  warning,  Oct.  ye  10th, 
1715,  to  receive  information  from  ye  Committee  chosen  to  la}'  out 
Sherborn  New  Grant,  &c.,  as  ma}'  then  be  offered,  and  to  give  to 
ye  said  Conmiittee  full  and  plenar}-  orders  and  directions  how  to 
proceed  in  laying  out  ye  4,000  acres  of  land  late  granted  and  con- 
firmed by  ye  General  Court  to  ye  town  of  Sherborn,  as  an  equiva- 


so  HISTORY   OF    EAST   DOUGLAS. 

lent  for  sevcntoon   fainilios.  &c..   called  Shorborn   New  (Irant,  as 
aforesaid, 

Voted,  That  ye  said  committee,  viz.,  Deacon  Benoiii  Learned, 
Eleazar  Ilolbrook.  John  Death,  Joseph  Ware,  and  Thomas  Jones, 
shall  begin  at  ye  northeast  corner  of  je  said  tract  of  land,  and  to 
work  from  there  to  ye  westward,  through  ye  same  in  ye  same  range 
of  lotts  ;  then  turning  eastward  in  their  work,  through  ye  land 
iigain  for  ye  second  range  of  lots  ;  then  working  westward  for  yc; 
third  range  ;  and  lastly,  to  work  eastward  for  ye  fourth  range  of 
lots,  ye  Lotts  to  be  200  rods  in  length,  northerly  and  southerly,  and 
ve  breadth  of  them  to  be  easterly  and  westerly  according  to  their 
bigness  ;  and  ye  said  committee  to  lay  out  ye  whole  of  ye  said 
tract  of  land,  one  with  another,  good  and  bad,  as  near  as  they  can 
according  to  equity,  to  ye  proprietors  as  ye  town  have  voted  and 
agreed  upon  ;  and  also  to  ye  Committee  that  looked  up  and  implatted 
ye  said  tract  of  land,  as  ye  town  have  agreed  with  them.  Provided 
also,  that  allowance  shall  be  made  for  convenient  wave  in  ye  laving 
out  of  ye  said  Lots.  Voted  in  ye  aflirmative.  Also  voted  for  ye 
said  proprietors  to  proceed  to  draw  lots  for  dividing  ye  land  ;  and 
Dea.  Hopestill  Lealand  was  chosen  to  draw  lots  for  those  of  ye  said 
proprietors  that  were  absent.  Voted  in  ye  affirmative  l)y  ye  pro- 
prietors, ye  loth  day  of  October,  ITLk 

Attest.  JOSEPH  MOKSE.  Moderator." 

"Also,  there  was  chosen  Isaac  Coolidge.  to  serve  as  one  of  ye 

said  Committee  in  ye  room  of  Joseph  Ware,  his  desire  being  to  be 

dismissed  l)y   reason  of  ye  stress  of  his  business.     Voted  in  ye 

affirmative. 

Attest,  JOSEPH  MOKSE,  Moderator." 


FIRST  CONGREGATIONAL  CHURCH,   ERECTED  IN  1718  AT  DOUGLAS  CENTER. 


CHAPTER    III 


AI.r.OTMKXT    OF    OTIIKK    CHANTS. 


ELOW  we  give  the  minutes  on  the  Records 
of  the  town  of  Sherborn  touchinsr  the  orig;- 
iual  allotment  of  the  territory  included  in 
the  New  (Irant,  of  which  the  diagram  fol- 
lowing is  a  file  simile,  as  well  as  of  the 
additional  grants.  That  portion  which  is 
shaded  includes  the  4,00U-acre  grant,  and 
the  balance  the  subsequent  grants  : 


"LOTTS  DRAWN   BY  YE  PROPKIETORS  OF  SHERBORN  NEW  GRANT, 

OCT.  YE  10th,  1715 : 


NAMK  OF 
PROPRIETOR. 


Juu 


Noah  Morse, 

Eleazar  Fairbanks,  Jun'r, 
William  Sheffield, 
Jonathan  Whitney, 
John  Hill,  Sen'r, 
John  Holbrook, 
William  Barron, 
Benjamin  Bullard, 
Benjamin  Twitchell, 
John  Morse, 
Ensign  John  Death, 
Joseph  Cozzens, 
Samuel  Perry,    . 
James  Lealand, 
Nathaniel  Morse, 
Robert  Daniel, 
Capt.  Samuel  Bullard, 
Eleazar  Hill,  Jun'r, 
Plain  Aaron  Morse, 
Lieut.  Jonathan  Morse, 


NO. 
OF  LOT. 

1 

2 

;i 

4 

5 

(') 

7 

8 

9 

10 

11 

12 

13 

14 

15 

IG 

n 

18 
19 
20 


NAME  OF 
PROPRIETOR. 


Ebenezer  Hill,  Jun'r, 
Moses  Adams,  Jun'r, 
Ebenezer  Lealand,  Sen'r, 
John  Goulding, 
Edmund  Gookin, 
Richard  Sanger, 
George  Fairbanks,    . 
Thomas  Holbrook,    . 
Nathan  Morse, 
John  Twitchell, 
Eleazar  Rider, 
Moses  Adams,  Sen'r, 
Benjamin  Twitchell,  Sen 
Timothy  Lealand,     . 
Joshua  Underwood, 
Jacob  Cozzens, 
William  Wait,    . 
Ebenezer  Hill,  Sen'r, 
Ebenezer  Lealand,  Jun'r 
Isaac  Bullard,    . 


NO. 
OF  LOT. 

21 
22 

2a 

24 

25 
2(> 
27 
28 
2» 
30 
31 
32 

oo 
OO 

34 
35 
36 
37 

38 
3^ 
40 


ALLOTMENT  OF  OTHER  GRANTS. 


33 


NAUR  OF 
rROPHIETOK. 


John  Brick, 
John  Lealand,   . 
Hopestill Lealand,  Jr., 
Widow  Mary  West,    . 
The  Joseph  Johnson, 
Eleazer  Hill,  Sen'r,   . 
John  Hill,  Jun'r, 
Nathaniel  Sheffield,  . 
Jonathan  Morse,  Jun'r, 
Benoni  Adams, 
Daniel  Kider,     . 
Solomon  Hill,     . 
James  Morse,     . 
Thomas  Jones, 
Joseph  Whitney, 
Joshua  Kebbe, 
Samuel  Morse, 
Joseph  Ware,     . 
William  Rider,  Sen'r, 
The  Widow  Bethia  Perry, 
Joseph  Perry,    . 
Joseph  Morse,  Jun'r, 
Isaac  Cozzens,    . 
Farm  of  Aaron  Morse, 
Dea.  Hopestill  Lealand, 
The  Widow  Leah  Goddar 
Isaac  Learned, 
Joseph  Sheffield, 
Abraham  Cozzens,  Jun'r 
The  Widow  Deborah  Mor 
Isaac  Coolidge, 
Capt.  Joseph  Morse, 
The  Widow  Lydia  Twitchell, 


fl, 


se, 


NO. 

NAMK  OF 

NO. 

OF  LOT. 

rnoPRlKTOR. 

OF  Li)T. 

.      41 

Henry  Lealand, 

.      74 

.      42 

Daniel  Sheffield, 

.      75 

.      43 

William  Lealand, 

.      76 

.      44 

William  Bull,     . 

.      77 

.      45 

John  Sawin, 

.      78 

.      46 

Nathaniel  Perry, 

.      79 

.      47 

Jonathan  Fairbanks,  Jun'r, 

.      80 

.      48 

Dea'n  Benoni  Learned,     . 

.      81 

.      49 

Doct'r  Jonathan  Fairbanks, 

.      82 

50 

Ebenezer  Pratt, 

.      83 

.      51 

Abraham  Cozzens,  Sen'r, 

.      84 

52 

The  Widow  Mary  Coolidge, 

85 

53 

William  Pider,  Jun'r, 

.      86 

54 

Benjamin  Whitney  Wholder, 

.      87 

55 

Ebenezer  Badkick,    . 

88 

56 

Nathaniel  Hill, 

89 

57 

James  Adams, 

90 

58 

Eleazar  Fairbanks,  Sen'r, 

91 

59 

Lieut.  Thomas  Sawin, 

92 

60 

The  Widow  Sheffield  Estate, 

.      93 

61 

Ephraim  Bullin, 

94 

62 

Benjamin  Whitney,  Sen'r, 

.      95 

63 

Daniel  Morse,    . 

.      96 

64 

John  BuUen, 

97 

65 

Joseph  Twitchell, 

.      98 

66 

Eleazer  Holbrook,     . 

99 

67 

John  Fisk, 

100 

68 

Moses  Morse, 

101 

69 

Nathaniel  Holbrook, 

A. 

70 

William  Johnson, 

B. 

71 

Mary  Morse,      .        .        .        . 

C. 

72 

Israel  Morse,      .         .         .         . 

D. 

73 

Ephraim  Hill,    .        .         .         . 

* 

In  the  year  1715  the  committee,  viz.,  Deacon  Benoni  Learned, 
Eleazar  tlolbrook,  John  Death,  Thomas  Jones,  and  Isaac  Cool- 
idge. having  so  far  "completed  their  work  in  ye  proportioning 
and  la\-ing  out  ye  4,000  acres  of  land  lying  westward  of  Mendou, 
late  granted  by  ye  Gen"  Court  to  ye  town  of  Sherborn,  with  ye 
assistance  of  INIr.  Thomas  White,  their  surveyor,"  made  their  "-re- 
turn of  ye  service  the}'  had  done"  by  a  plan  of  it,  drawn  b}'  Mr. 
White,  to  ye  Town  for  acceptance,  as  also  their  demands  for  their 
service,  and  to  pay  Mr.  "White  for  his  in  ye  aforesaid  business ; 

3 


DIAGRAM  OF  THE   SEVERAL  LAND   GRANTS. 


ALLOTMENT   OF    OTHER   GRANTS.  35 

and  ye  town  voted  an  acceptance  of  j'e  sd  committee's  work,  and 
the  cost,  amounting  to  ye  sum  of  about  ten  pounds,  one  way  or 
another.  Old  Mr.  Ebenezer  Hill  appeared  (his  Lott  falling  well), 
and  freel}'  undertook  to  pa}'  off  and  satisfy  ye  committee  and  sur- 
ve^-or  for  their  service,  as  above  said,  which  was  accepted  by  ye 
town." 

"At  a  meeting  of  ye  inhabitants  of  Sherborn,  Dec.  29,  1721, 
ye  town  granted  to  Ei)hraim  Ilill,  and  his  heirs  forever,  20  acres 
of  land  within  ye  connnou  and  undivided  land  in  ye  said  4,000 
acres,  in  3-e  4th  range,  next  to  ye  last  lott  there  gTanted,  to  be 
laid  out  in  a  regular  form,  in  consideration  of  his  being  the  first 
settled  inhal)itant  there." 

The  Sherborn  Records  contain  the  following  additional  minutes 
of  the  action  of  the  town  in  the  vear  1725  concerning  the  several 
land  grants  : 

"  At  a  meeting  of  ye  Proprietors  of  3'e  undivided  land  in  three 
several  grants  of  land  made  by  ye  Great  and  General  Court  of  His 
Majesty,  Province  of  ye  Massachusetts  Bay,  of  late,  to  ye  town  of 
Sherborn,  h'ing  westward  of  and  partly  adjoining  to  ye  Township 
of  Mendon,  in  3-e  county  of  Suffolk,  commonly  called  New  Sher- 
born, viz. :  First,  a  grant  of  4,000  acres  ;  secondly,  a  grant  of  3,000 
acres;  and  thirdly,  a  grant  of  3,700— being  regularly  assembled 
and  convened  upon  3'e  27th  day  of  December,  1725,  bj'  legal 
warning,  and  from  thence  held  by  several  continuations  to  ye  sec- 
ond Monday  in  November  next  following,  and  then  met  Monda}^, 
November  ye  14th,  1726." 

"  Upon  a  motion  made  to  3'e  said  proprietors,  being  assembled 
at  time  and  place  as  aforesaid,  whether  it  would  not  be  for  3'e  best  to 
make  but  one  lotment  and  division  in  ye  3,000  acres  and  ye  3,700 
acres  Grants  made  b3'  3'e  General  Court  to  ye  Town  of  Sherborn, 
situate  and  hing  westward  of  Mendon,  saving  what  3-e  Town  has 
disposed  of  to  pa3-  for  ye .  Purchase  Grant  and  Badluck  Cedar 
Swamp,  to  and  among  3"e  proprietors,  both  in  Sherborn  and  Hollis- 
ton,  and  any  others  that  rights  are  belonging  unto  them  therein, 
according  to  such  rules  as  3-e  said  proprietors  have  agi-eed  upon  and 
stated,  which  motion,  being  tried  by  a  vote,  it  unanimously  passed 
in  3-e  affirmative." 

"At  3-e  said  meeting  it  was  proposed  to  3-e  said  proprietors  to 
la3'  out  3-e  said  grants  to  and  among  them,  excepting  what  is  be- 


ALLOTMENT    OF    OTHER    GRANTS. 


37 


fore  graiiU'(l,  in  ye  foll()win<»:  manner  and  Ibnn —  that  is  to  say,  to 
begin  at  ye  northwesterly  end  of  ye  said  3,000  aeres,  and  so  to 
lay  out  lots  across  ye  same  till  it  come  to  ye  cedar  swami)  called 
Badluck  ;  then  to  work  on  3'e  north  side  of  ye  3,000  acres,  begin- 
ning at  ye  southeast  corner  of  ye  4,000  acres,  and  extending  on  a 
straight  line  with  ye  south  side  thereof  until  it  come  to  Mendon 
line  ;  then  to  work  westward  in  ye  next  range,  then  eastward 
again,  and  then  westward,  and  lastl}'  eastward,  next  to  ^-e  Prov- 
ince line,  making  but  4  ranges  betwixt  ye  said  4,000  acres  a'nd  3-8 
patent  line,  saving  oOO  acres,  or  thereabouts,  of  ye  roughest  of  ye 
land  at  Hedgehog  Corner,  and  so  eastward  beloAV  Badluck,  and  at 
ye  head  of  ve  first  long  range  against  ve  said  4.000  acres.  Voted 
in  ye  affirmative. " 

"Voted,  by  ye  said  proprietors,  that  Ensign  John  Death  and  Sam- 
uel Fairbanks,  David  Morse,  Timothy  Leland,  Joseph  Johnson, 
James  Whitney,  and  John  Leland,  be  a  committee  fully  empow- 
ered by  a  V(^te  of  said  proprietors  to  agree  with  a  surveyor,  and  at 
3'e  cost  and  charge  of  A-e  proprietors,  to  lay  out  ye  above  said  land 
into  lots,  according  to  ye  rule  above  mentioned.  Voted  in  ye  affir- 
mative." 

"Voted,  by  ye  said  proi)rietors,  to  continue  their  said  meeting 
to  3'e  house  of  Richard  (xookins,  on  ve  aforesaid  da3'." 

"  Voted,  by  ye  said  proprietors,  to  continue  their  said  meeting 
unto  3'e  28th  da3'  of  this  present  November,  at  ten  of  3'e  clock  be- 
fore noon,  at  ve  public  meeting  house  in  Sherborn.  Voted  in  3'e 
affirmative. 

Attest,  SAMUEL  BULLARD,  Moderator." 


NAME  OP  NO. 

PROPRIETOR.                                                         OF  LOT. 

Capt.  Sam' 11  Bullard,        .        .  60 

Doct.  Fairbank's  Estate,  .        .  75 

Deacon  Hopestill  Lealand.       .  58 

Eleazar  Holbrook,     ...  80 

John  Hill,           ....  33 

JohnBreck,        ....  57 

James  Adams,           ...  22 

Tho.  Holbvook's  Widow.         .  67 

Samuel  Holbrook.     ...  16 

Moses  Hill 124 

Jonathan  Fairbanks,          .         .  45 

Samuel  Fairbanks,    ...  40 


NAME   OF 

NO. 

PKOPRIETOR. 

OF  LOT. 

David  ]Srorse, 

.      93 

John  Holbrook,  Sen'i-, 

.      47 

Joseph  Ware,     . 

.    113 

Daniel  Morse,     . 

.      98 

Eleazar  Morse, 

.        7 

Noah  Moses'  Estate, 

2 

Arthur  Clark,    . 

.      10 

Lieut.  Jonat'n  ilorse, 

.      68 

William  Barron, 

.      63 

Mary  Morse, 

.      72 

Sam'll  Perry,      . 

.      64 

Eleazar  Rider,  . 

.      56 

38 


HISTORY    OF    EAST    DOUGLAS. 


NAME  OF 

NO. 

NAME   OF 

NO. 

PROPRIETOa.                                                     OF  LOT. 

PROPKIETOR.                                                         OF   LOT. 

Noah  Allen, 

.    130 

Ephraim  Twitchell,  . 

.    Ill 

Eleaz'r  Fairbanks,  Sen'r, 

.    101 

The  Widow  Twitchell,      . 

.      91 

Eleaz'r  Fairbanks,  Jiin'r, 

.      71 

Benjamin  BuUard,     . 

.    120 

William  Rider,  Sen'r, 

1 

Eleaz'r  Hill,  Sen'r,    . 

.    127 

William  Rider,  Jun'r, 

6 

Eleaz'r  Hill,  Jun'r,    . 

.    105 

Sam'll  Williams, 

39 

Solomon  Hill,     . 

.    115 

Daniel  Rider,      . 

.      48 

Nathan'l  Hill,    . 

.      25 

The  Widow  Coolidge, 

.      89 

Benj'n  Twitchell, 

.      29 

James  Coolidge, 

.    106 

Ebenez'r  Twitchell, 

.      82 

Nathan'l  Morse, 

.      73 

Abraham  Cozens,  Sen'r,  . 

.    107 

Dea.  Lai-ned, 

.      77 

Jacob  Cozens,   . 

.      89 

Robert  Daniel, 

.      92 

Joseph  Cozens, 

.      23 

James  Whitney, 

.      17 

Hopestill  Leland,  Jun'r,  . 

.      32 

The  Widow  West,     . 

.      09 

Joshua  Kebbe,  Sen'r, 

.      30 

Nathan' 1  Ferry, 

.      59 

Joshua  Kebbe,  Jun'r, 

.      54 

Edmond  Gookins, 

.      51 

William  Leland, 

.    118 

Richard  Sangar, 

.      81 

William  Sheffield,     . 

.      85 

Moses  Adams,  Sen'r, 

.      35 

Isaac  Sheffield,  . 

.      52 

Isaac  Adams,     . 

.     112 

Daniel  Sheffield, 

.      99 

William  Bull,     .... 

84 

Joseph  Sheffield, 

.      96 

William  Greenwood, 

42 

Nathaniel  Sheffield,  . 

.      10 

John  Phipps,     .... 

74 

John  Golding,    . 

.    103 

John  Fisk,          .... 

62 

George  Fairbanks,     . 

.    129 

Joseph  Perry,  Sen'r, 

.      65 

Farm  Aaron  Morse, 

126 

Ephraim  Bullin, 

.      97 

Joshua  Underwood, 

.    117 

John  Death, 

8- 

Ebenez'r  Hill,  Sen'r, 

.    114 

Benjamin  Muzzy, 

87 

Ebenez'r  Hill,  Jun'r, 

31 

Ebenezer  Pratt,  Sen'r, 

44 

David  Hill, 

no 

Henry  Leland,    . 

43 

Thomas  Jones, 

.    128 

James  Travis,    . 

46 

Ebenez'r  Pratt,  Jun'r, 

131 

Isaac  Coolidge, 

78 

John  Leland,     . 

.    133 

Jonath'n  Morse,  Jun'r,    . 

102 

Joseph  Johnson, 

.      70 

Jonath'n  Sewing, 

9 

Moses  Adams,  Jun'r, 

121 

Joseph  Marsh,   . 

14 

Benony  Adams, 

100 

Isaac  Morse,  Jun'r,  . 

37 

Isaac  Morse,  Sen'r,   . 

34 

Jonath.  Torrey, 

50 

Timothy  Leland, 

61 

Daniel  Holbrook, 

49 

James  Leland, 

38 

Joseph  Perry,  Jun'r, 

20 

Isaac  Bullard,   . 

19 

Obadiah  Morse, 

27 

Timothy  Knowlton, 

4 

Ebenez'r  Lealand,  Sen'r, 

119 

Jonath'n  Whitney,   . 

88 

Ebenez'r  Leland,  Jun'r,  . 

90 

Abrah'm  Cuzens,  Jun'r,  . 

24 

James  Morse,     .... 

58 

Isaac  Cuzens,     .... 

94 

Joseph  Morse, 

15 

Isaac  Foster,      .... 

108 

Ebenezer  Babcock,    . 

132 

Gershow  Eames, 

116 

Joseph  Twitchell,      . 

66 

John  Wallis,      .... 

109 

ALLOTMENT  OF  OTHER  GRANTS. 


89 


KAME  OF  NO 

PEOPRIETOR.  OF   LOT. 

Joseph  Lealand,  ...  79 
John  Holbiook,  Jun'r,  .  .122 
Plain  Aaron  Morse,  .  .  .125 
Edmond  Morse,  ...  18 
John  Larned,  .  .  .  .83 
John  Twitchell,  ...  26 
Moses  Morse,  .  .  .  .11 
David  Stanford,  ...  13 
The  Widow  Goddard,  .  .12 
Cornet  Whitney's  Widow,       .        5 


NAME  OF 

NO. 

PROPlilETOR.                                                         OF   LOT. 

James  Maverick, 

21 

The  Widow  Babcock, 

3 

William  Wait, 

28 

Benj'm  Twitchell,  Jun'r, 

9.5 

Sam'l  Morse's  Widow, 

123 

Eich'd  Gookin, 

30 

Benj'm  Bullard,  Jun'r,    . 

76 

Lieut.  Sawin,     . 

55 

John  Sawin, 

41 

EESIDEKCE  OF  DEA.   ALBERT  BIJTLEE,    EAST   DOUGLAS. 


EESIDE^"CE   OF   SIK.    A.    F.    JOAEP,    EAST  DOUGLAS. 


C  HAPTER   IV. 


FROM  1735—1754. 

ROM  the  Sherborn  Records  we  obtain  the  fol- 
lowing account  of  the  doings  of  the  people  of 
lloUiston  touching  what  they  deemed  an  en- 
croachment on  the  territory  belonging  to  them  :. 
'■'•At  a  meeting  of  ^e  proprietors,  etc., 
liolden  in  Ilolliston,  November  18,  1735,  Capt. 
John  Death  was  chosen  moderator  to  regulate 
said  meeting. 

Nathaniel  Sheffleld  was  chosen  agent,  or 
attorney,  to  prosecute  for  or  defend  ye  said 
proprietors  in  any  action  that  ma}'  be  brought  for  or  against  them 
— especiall}-  to  prosecute  any  that  hath  or  shall  commit  trespass  on 
3'e  aforesaid  common  land. 

Capt.  Ephraim  Hill  and  Ensign  Joseph  Marsh  were  chosen  a 
committee  to  inspect,  oversee,  and  take  care  of  ye  timber  of  ye 
aforesaid  common  land,  and  to  secure  an}'  timber  that  is  already 
cut  down,  and  to  find  out  if  any  man  commits  trespass  on  said 
common  land,  and  make  report  to  their  agent  or  attorney. 

Capt.  John  Death,  Lieut.  Isaac  Coolidge,  and  Nathaniel  Shef- 
field were  chosen  a  committee  to  treat  with  ye  inhabitants  that  are 
already  settled  on  ye  aforesaid  grants  of  lands,  or  any  whom  they 
shall  appoint  to  tieat  with  our  connuittee,  to  adjust  and  consult 
what  may  be  for  }e  best  as  to  setting  up  of  ye  preaching  of  ye 
Gospel  in  that  place  —  whether  we  shall  petition  ye  Great  and 
General  Court  to  incorporate  it  to  be  a  town,  or  any  other  way." 

"  At  a  meeting  holden  May  18,  1736,  ye  proprietors  A'oted  to- 
set  apart  one  hundred  acres  of  ye  common  and  undivided  land  in 
said  gi'ants  where  it  shall  be  most  suitable,  for  ye  first  learned,  ju- 


42  HISTORY   OF   EAST   DOUGLAS. 

clicious  Orthodox  Congregational  minister  that  shall  be  lawfully- 
settled  and  ordained  there. 

Also,  voted  to  set  apart  40  acres  of  land  in  said  common  and 
undivided  land  for  ye  use  and  benefit  of  a  school  and  school-house, 
where  it  shall  lie  thought  most  suitable. 

Also,  voted  to  set  apart  10  acres  of  land  in  said  common  and 
undivided  land,  where  it  shall  be  thought  most  suital)le,  to  set  ye 
meeting  house  on,  and  for  a  training  field  and  burying  place." 

"Nov.  13, 1739.— William  Leland,  Nathaniel  Sheffield,  andCapt. 
Ephraim  Hill  were  chosen  and  appointed  to  be  a  committee  fullj' 
empowered  to  perambulate,  and  run  linds,  and  renew  bound  marks 
with  any  of  ye  adjacent  towns  or  proprietors  who  have  lands  ad- 
joining ye  lands  called  New  Sherborn." 

"  At  a  meeting  held  at  the  house  of  AVilham  Jennison,  Dec.  9, 
1765,  the  proprietors  made  choice  of  Capt.  Caleb  Hill  to  be  their 
agent  to  prosecute  in  ye  law  (to  final  judgment  and  exec  utionany 
trespass  or  trespasser  that  hath  or  ma}'  be  committed  on  their  un- 
divided lands  or  cedar  swamp  rights." 

They  also  "  voted  to  choose  a  committee  to  lay  out  ye  cedar 
swamp  (with  the  assistance  of  a  surveyor)  into  lots,  according  to 
each  original  proprietor's  rights  and  property,  and  that  whoever 
possesses  more  than  one  original  right  shall  have  ye  liberty  to 
have  his  rights  joined  in  one  draught,  and  so  in  one  lott — jirovided 
said  possessors  shall  evidence  to  ye  proprietors  at  ye  time  of  their 
drawing  lots  for  ye  above  division  (that  he  or  she  is  possessed  of 
more  than  one  right,  as  above  said;." 

Also,  "  voted  that  but  3  of  ye  committee  for  laying  out  3'e  said 
cedar  swamp  shall  be  under  pay  at  one  and  3'e  same  time  ;  and 
furthermore,  ye  proprietors  of  ye  above  sd  meeting  voted  that  ye 
sd  committee  in  lotting  out  sd  cedar  swamp  shall  do  it  equally-, 
according  to  ye  best  of  their  judgment,  both  for  quantit}-  and  qual- 
itj^,  according  to  each  proprietor's  rights. 

Ye  proprietors  also  granted  twenty-five  shilhngs  towards  tran- 
scribing ye  Proprietors'  Records  for  ye  better  accommodation  of 
those  proprietors  that  are  settled  in  Douglas. 

Attest,  DAVID  WHITE,  Moderator." 

The  following  document  will  l)e  invested  with  no  little  interest, 
from  the  fact  that  it  is,  as  it  purports,  the  record  of  the  doings  at 


FROM    1735—1754.  43 

the  first  legal  meeting  of  the  residents  of  Donglas  of  which  there 
is  any  authentic  cop}'  in  existence  : 

MINUTES    FROM    THE    RECORDS    OF    DOUGLAS. 

The  warrant  calling  the  first  town  meeting  of  Douglas  of  which 
there  is  any  record  in  the  town  archives  is  as  follows  : 

"  To  William  Jeperson,  Constaljel  for  ye  South  sid  of  Douglas 
District,  in  ye  County  of  Worcester,  greeting  : 

These  are  in  his  Majestj^'s  Name  to  require  3'ou  forthwith  to 
notity  all  ye  inhahitauce  in  your  partickulor  part  of  Douglas  Dis- 
trict how  have  any  acounts  Relative  to  ye  Building  of  ye  meeting 
house  in  said  town  or  District,  that  they  prepair  and  lay  ye  same 
before  3'e  Inhabitance  at  their  meeting  on  ye  twenty  third  da}'  of 
January  Next.  You  are  also  required  by  ye  same  authority  to 
warn  and  give  notice  to  all  ye  freeholdirs  and  others,  Rattabel 
Inhabitance  in  your  part  of  ye  town  or  Destrict  of  Douglas,  To 
meet  at  ye  house  of  Ensign  Joseph  Marshe's,  freeholder  in  said 
Douglas,  on  Friday  ye  twenty  third  day  of  this  instant  January, 
at  nine  of  thee  clock  in  ye  forenoon  on  said  day,  then  and  there  to 
consider  and  act  upon  ve  following  articles,  viz  : 

1 .  To  choose  a  suitable  person  f(jr  a  Moderator  of  said  meeting. 

2.  To  see  if  ye  Inhabitance  of  ye  town  or  Destrict  will  invite 
Mr.  James  Weelman  to  seetel  with  them  in  3'e  work  of  ye  gospell 
ministr}'. 

3.  To  see  what  3'earl3-  salery  ye  Inhabitance  will  give  Mr. 
Weelman  as  an  encouragement  to  setel  in  3'e  work  of  3'e  gospell 
ministr}'. 

4.  To  see  wheir  3'e  inhabitance  will  receive  and  allow  ve  ac- 
counts Relating  to  3'e  building  of  said  meeting  house  which  shall 
be  laid  before  them. 

5.  To  see  wt  sum  or  sums  of  mone3'  the3'  will  grant  for  defre3'- 
ing  3'e  charges  which  all  Readv  have  arisen,  or  shall  arise  b3' 
means  of  inclosing  ve  meeting-house  in  said  town. 

6.  To  see  whether  ye  Inhabitance  will  vote  to  levy  a  tax  on 
3'e  lands  which  belong  to  themselves  equall  to  wt  3'e  grate  and 
Generall  Court  have  ordered  to  be  assessed  on  land  belonging  to 
3'e  uou  Residents. 


44  HISTORY    OP    EAST   DOUGLAS. 

And  make  return  of  this  warrant  with  your  doings  therein  att 
or  before  ye  da}-  above  mentioned. 

Dated  Donglps  Destrict,  Januar}- eight,  Anno  Domini  1746,  '7. 

Samuel  Dudley,  ^   Selectmen 
Joseph  Marsh,      \         of 
Ephraim  Hill,      J    Douglas. 

Pursuant  to  ye  foregoing  warrent,  ye  Inhabitance  met  and  made 
choice  of  Capt.  Caleb  Hill  for  a  Moderator  to  Regulate  sd  meeting. 

lly.  Ye  District  voted  to  have  3^e  accounts  together. 

2ly.  Ye  articual  in  ye  warrant,  Relating  to  giving  Mr.  James 
Weelman  a  call  to  settle  in  3'e  work  of  ye  Gospell  ministry  in 
Douglas,  passed  in  ye  Negative. 

31v.  Ye  severall  sums  and  acounts  which  was  brought  and 
laid  before  ye  town  or  Destrict  towards  building  ye  meeting  house 
in  sd  Douglas  on  said  daj^  are  excepted  and  allowed  by  ye  Inhabi- 
tance of  Douglas. 

41y.  Ye  Town  or  Destrict  voted  to  grant  three  hundred  pounds 
old  tenor  for  defra3-iug  ye.  charges  of  building  ye  meeting  house  iu 
Douglas  Destrict. 

5I3'.  Ye  Town  or  Destrict  voted  to  levy  a  tax  upon  their  own 
land  equall  to  ye  tax  the  Great  and  Genrall  Court  have  laid  upon 
ye  non-residents  proprietors." 

The  records  of  1 747  show  that  the  form  of  Jonas  Wheeler,  in  Sut- 
ton, was  set  off  from  that  town  and  annexed  to  Douglas.  A  rav- 
enous wolf  liad  l)een  committing  depredations  ou  Mr.  Wheeler's 
live  stock,  and,  with  a  courageousness  that  seems  to  have  been 
dul3'  appreciated,  after  arming  himself  with  a  good  flint-lock  mus- 
ket, he  sallied  forth  and  slew  the  ferocious  animal,  and  laid  it  as  a 
trophy  of  the  exploit  before  the  Selectmen  for  a  bounty.  In  con- 
sideration of  the  important  service  done  to  his  neighbors  b}*  dis- 
patching such  a  mutual  eneui}',  Mr.  Wheeler's  taxes  were  omitted 
for  the  current  3"ear.  Wolves  were  not  only  quite  numerous  at  thi& 
time,  but  deer  also  abounded,  and  their  flesh  formed  a  most  accept-, 
able  article  of  food. 

The  spirit  of  energy  and  enterprise  among  the  inhabitants 
of  the  town  seems  to  have  shown  itself  almost  immediately  on  their 
attaining  to  independence  of  the  town  of  Sherborn  —  a  fact  not 


FROM    1735—1754.  45 

difficult  to  accauut  for,  either  on  the  ground  of  freedom  from  for- 
mer restraints,  or  of  an  inspiration  begotten  of  their  new  condi- 
tion. Perhaps  in  nothing  is  the  real  public  spiritedness,  not  to  sa}' 
the  good  connnon  sense,  of  a  community  more  practically  mani- 
fested than  on  the  subject  of  i)roviding  facilities  for  intercourse 
and  communication  with  each  other  and  their  neiglibors.  Roads 
are  a  first  necessity,  felt  to  be  so  from  the  earliest  ages  ;  and  the 
earliest  Roman  history  abounds  in  records  of  some  of  the  grandest 
acliievements  in  this  Une,  the  remains  of  which  challenge  the  admi- 
ration of  the  world.  The  very  first  year's  records  of  the  town  are 
•entirely  creditable  on  this  point.  In  September,  1747,  the  follow- 
ing minute  shows  that  "  a  road  was  laid  out  from  '  ye  widow  Car- 
penter's old  hous,'  running  southward  down  a  rocky  hill  to  Ever- 
ton's  lands,  and  from  thence  '  to  sd  J^verton's  siler.' "  Two  other 
roads  were  laid  out  on  the  same  day,  and  were  promptly  acccepted 
b}'  the  town.  Most  of  these,  it  should  be  said,  perhaps,  were  sim- 
ply unfenced  and  ungraded  paths  through  the  woods  and  fields, 
■quite  passable,  however,  for  the  "  rolling  stock "  of  those  daj's, 
and  generally  leading  from  the  halntations  of  the  settlers  to  the 
meeting-house,  a  point  never  lost  siglit  of  in  those  times.  Their 
course  was  usually  indicated  by  hewn  trees  and  heaps  of  stones. 
Some  of  them  were  designated  as  "•  bridle  roads."  Considerate  as 
our  fathers  always  seem  to  have  been,  the  owners  of  the  lands 
adjoining  these  rude  highways  were  permitted  to  maintain  bars 
across  them  —  a  very  pardonable  obstruction  to  travel,  as  we  shall 
all  concede  when  we  call  to  mind  the  scarcity  of  fences  which  must 
then  have  prevailed,  and  the  difficulty  in  any  other  way  of  prevent- 
ing the  cattle  from  straying,  often  beyond  recover^'. 

An  entry  in  the  records  under  the  date  of  Aug.  31,  1748, 
signed  by  John  Marsh,  Town  Clerk,  gives  a  list  of  five  persons, 
said  to  comprise  all  the  legal  voters  in  the  town  or  district  of  IJoug- 
las  at  that  time.  Their  names  were  Joseph  Marsh,  Ephraim  Hill, 
Caleb  Hill,  Thomas  Jepherson  and  Isaac  Comings.  The  names  of 
Caleb  Hill  and  Joseph  Titus  were  appended  as  Assessoi'S,  although 
the  latter  was  not  included  in  the  list  of  legal  voters.  The  town 
clerk's  name  was  also  omitted,  from  which  we  conclude  that  men 
were  eligible  to  office  who  were  denied  the  right  of  suff"rage.  The 
statement,  however,  forms  no  basis  for  estimating  the  population 
of  the  town,  for,  as  will  b3  seen  b^'  the  proceedings  of  the  annual 


46  HISTORY   OF   EAST   DOUGLAS. 

meeting  which  took  place  in  the  previous  March,  a  considerable 
number  of  persons  were  elected  to  office  whose  names  were  not 
enrolled  as  voters.  It  is  hardly  reasonable  to  suppose  that  every 
man,  like  those  in  Artemus  Ward's  home  guards,  was  an  officer, 
hence  there  must  have  been  between  fifty  and  one  hundred  resi- 
dents in  town,  all  but  five  of  whom,  though  competent  to  manage 
the  affiiirs  of  a  town  corporation,  were  nevertheless  debarred  from 
the  right  of  assisting  to  elevate  their  fellow  citizens  to  a  like  dig- 
nit}-. 

The  elective  franchise  was  deemed  in  those  da^'s  to  have  been 
secured  at  altogether  too  great  a  cost  to  be  held  either  in  anj-  trivial 
estimate  or  to  1)e  l)estowed  on  those  not  capable  of  appreciating  the 
weighty  responsil)ility  attaching  to  it.  The  people  of  our  own 
times  might  profit  by  the  example  of  our  fiithers  in  this  particular, 
learning  as  much  from  the  mistake  which  Rhode  Island  committed 
for  so  many  3'ears  (on  the  point  of  property  qualification),  as  from 
the  greater  blunder  of  admitting  to  the  rights  of  suff"rage  those 
who  have  as  good  as  no  fair  opportunity  of  becoming  acquainted 
with  the  genius  of  our  civil  polity. 

In  March  of  this  j^ear  the  town  chose  Joseph  Titus  and  Joseph 
Morse  to  take  care  of  the  "  choole  monny,"  and  Dea.  John  Marsh 
and  Joseph  Robbins  were  chosen  "■  Tything-men." 

The  amount  appropriated  for  building  and  repairing  the  high- 
wa3's  was  £200  (old  tenor),  which  was  to  be  "  worked  out." 

Educational  matters  received  some  attention  at  this  meeting, 
three  months  of  summer  schooling  being  voted,  although  it  does 
not  appear  that  any  money  was  appropriated  to  meet  the  expense. 
There  was  but  one  school- house  in  town,  and  that  was  used  until  the 
meeting-house  was  built  for  almost  all  purposes  of  a  public  nature. 
This  school  was  kept  in  what  is  now  the  Center  village,  but  which 
was  then  only  a  very  sparsely  settled  neighborhood,  in  the  midst 
of  an  almost  unbroken  forest,  through  which  the  scholars  were 
obliged  daily  to  make  their  way  by  following  difficult  trails. 

The  last  paragraph  in  the  record  of  this  meeting  is  as  follows, 
which  we  give  precisel}^  as  it  stands  in  the  records  : 

"  Voted  that  the  town  meetings  shoud  bee  adarned  for  time  tO' 
Cora  by  a  Notifycation  and  the  anual  meeting  should  bee  on  the 
second  monday  in  march  the  swine  to  go  at  large." 


JOSEPH    LEE   PLACE  —  RESIDENCE   OF  MKS.    AD  ALINE    STARRETT, 

EAST  DOUGLAS. 


PARSONAGE,   DOUGLAS   CENTER  —  RESIDENCE   OF   REV.    W.    W.    DOW. 


48  HISTORY    OF   EAST    DOUGLAS. 

At  this  date  the  meeting-house  at  the  Center  was  in  process  of 
•erection,  and  the  expense  was  met  by  contributions  of  material  and 
money  from  the  pulilic  treasurj',  for  at  this  period  tlie  fact  of  the 
indebtedness  of  the  State  to  the  Church  was  more  palpable  to  the 
great  body  of  the  people  than  now,  when  the  numerous  depart- 
ments into  which  the  religious  element  finds  itself  organized  natu- 
rally comi)lioates  tliis  whole  question.  The  work  had  i)rogressed 
so  far  that  it  was  occupied  for  an  adjourned  meeting  on  the  11th  of 
April,  1748,  although  floors,  windows  and  doors  were  not  put  in 
imtil  some  time  thereafter.  At  this  meeting  the  sum  of  £140  was 
voted    '*  for  finishing  the  meeting  house  so  far  as  it  is  done." 

On  the  11th  of  August  another  meeting  was  held,  when  Mr. 
Joseph  Marsh,  who,  it  appears,  superintended  the  work  of  erecting 
the  meeting-house,  was  allowed  twenty-five  shilhngs  for  his  ex- 
penses. A  committee  was  also  appointed  to  furnish  boards,  and 
£54  were  appropriated  to  pay  for  them. 

At  a  subsequent  meeting  (date  not  given),  Isaac  Comings,  Jer- 
emiah Whiting  and  Wilham  Davenport  were  chosen  to  call  upon 
the  Treasurer  and  Collector  for  an  account  of  their  receipts  and  ex- 
penditures. The  reports  showed  that  there  had  been  collected 
from  resident  and  non-resident  tax-payers  the  sum  total  of  £89  6s. 
8d.,  besides  a  small  amount  which  Joseph  Marsh  was  allowed  to  re- 
tain in  consideration  of  the  fact  that  he  furnished  food  and  lodging 
for  the  carpenters  emplo^-ed  on  the  meeting-house.  More  lumber 
being  required  to  finish  the  edifice,  Benjamin  Wallis  was  instnicted 
to  pro\ide  one  thousand  feet  of  the  best  white  pine  boards. 

The  custom  now  in  vogue,  of  jealously  guarding  the  legal 
scope  of  the  business  transacted  at  the  public  meetings  of  the 
voters,  and  also  by  whom  the  business  at  these  meetings  is  to  be 
done,  is  not  Avithout  an  early  precedent,  for  we  find  that  at  this 
meeting  Caleb  Hill  filed  a  protest,  setting  forth  that  the  warrant 
was  not  issued  according  to  law.  This  was  the  forenumer  of  an 
extensive  imbroglio,  which  became  more  fully  developed  after  the 
annual  meeting  held  on  the  13th  of  March,  1749.  The  warrant, 
which  was  issued  b_Y  the  Selectmen,  and  served  by  Constable  Jo- 
seph Balcom,  contained  an  article  to  see  whether  the  town  would 
allow  all  freeholders,  in  other  words,  p3rsons  owning'  real  es- 
tate in  fee  simple,  to  vote  for  the  election  of  officers.  Capt.  Hill 
and  others  opposed  this,  on  the  ground  that  it  was  contrary  to  all 


FROM   1735—1754.  49 

the  laws  which  had  been  enacted.  After  considerable  discussion, 
however,  the  article  was  carried,  and  the  regular  business  of  the 
meeting  proceeded  with.  Among  the  officers  chosen  were  John 
Marsh,  Town  Clerk  ;  John  INlarsh.  Thomas  Cook  and  Isaac  Cum- 
mings.  Selectmen. 

It  was  voted  that  whosoever  should  take  or  receive  cattle  from 
other  towns  should  pa}'  ten  shilhngs.  per  head,  and  four  persons 
were  designated  to  receive  the  money.  The  only  other  business 
of  importance  transacted  was  tlie  acceptance  of  a  new  road,  laid 
out  by  the  Selectmen  from  the  ''  south  end  of  Douglas  district  to  ye 
meeting  house,"  and  an  appropriation  of  £150  for  mending  high- 
way's." 

Capt.  Hill,  the  leader  in  the  opposition  to  freeholders  having  a 
voice  in  the  election  of  officers,  was  so  much  dissatislled  with  the 
■course  adopted  that  he  circulated  a  petition  to  the  (leneral  Court, 
then  in  session,  asking  that  the  proceedings  of  the  meeting  be  an- 
nulled. This,  of  course,  drew  out  the  strength  of  the  opposite 
part}',  and  on  the  29th  of  May  following  a  meeting  of  freehold- 
ers was  held  in  the  meeting-house,  at  which  it  was  voted  to  oppose 
the  petition,  and  Isaac  Comings,  Samuel  Parker,  John  Marsh  and 
William  Davenport  were  choseu  to  act  in  their  belialf.  Pending 
the  presentation  of  this  petition  to  the  General  Court,  the  following 
terms  of  settlement  were  proposed  by  the  petitioners,  and  consid- 
ered in  a  meeting  of  the  inhabitants  on  the  5th  of  June  : 

1st.  That  the  petitioners  shall  drop  their  petition  at  the  Great 
mid  General  Court,  and  proceed  no  further  therewith. 

2d.  That  all  the  town  officers  which  were  chosen  at  the  meeting 
in  the  month  of  INIarch  last  past  shall  stand  in  their  posts  for  the 
present  3'ear,  and  that  all  notes  which  were  paid  at  said  meeting 
shall  be  esteemed  as  good  and  valid  by  the  town. 

3d.  That  the  town  allow  all  freeholders  to  vote  in  town  affairs 
for  the  present  3^ear. 

4th.  That  there  be  a  new  valuation  taken  in  the  month  of  Au- 
gust next  by  the  Assessors,  and  if  the  petitioners  with  the  said 
town  cannot  agree  who  are  qualified  according  to  law  to  vote  in 
town  affairs  by  said  vahuxtion,  then  they,  the  petitioners  and  the 
agent  of  the  town,  will  lay  the  valuation  which  the  Assessors  have 
taken,  as  aforesaid,  some  convenient  time  before  the  next  annual 
town  meeting,  in  the  month  of  March,  before  John  Ilarwood  and 
4 


50  HISTORY   OF    DOUGLAS. 

Robert  Gotlclard,  Esqs.,  for  them  to  judge  and  determine  who  are 
quahfied  according  to  law  t(j  vote  in  town  meeting  for  time  to  coine,. 
and  that  we  Avill  make  the  list  of  qualified  voters  left  by  them  with 
the  town  clerk  our  rule  to  [)roceed  l)y  for  that  3'ear,  and  until 
another  valuation  is  taken. 

5th.  That  there  be  a  town  meeting  called,  and  that  the  for- 
mer town  clerks,  Captain  Hill  and  Esquire  C'adj,  bring  the  min- 
utes of  such  town  meetings  which  they  have  by  them,  which  should 
have  been  put  upon  record  by  them  when  the  town  book  was 
in  their  hands,  and  lay  them  before  the  town,  to  see  if  the  town 
shall  think  proper  to  order  them  to  be  put  upon  record. 

The  first  four  articles  of  this  agreement  were  adopted,  and  the 
fifth  postponed  for  further  consideration  ;  but  the  obnoxious  peti- 
tion was  nevertheless  pressed  upon  the  attention  of  the  General 
Court.  On  the  20th  of  June  the  town  voted  to  send  in  a  counter 
petition,  setting  forth  reasons  why  the  "March  meeting  last  past 
shoild  not  be  broken  up  ;"  and  in  case  the  reasons  were  unheeded, 
it  was  decided  further  to  petition  for  a  nullification  of  all  meetings 
held  contrary  to  law  since  the  town  Avas  incorporated. 

After  mature  consideration  of  the  points  involved  in  dispute, 
the  court  coincided  with  Captain  Hill  by  ruling  that  the  annual 
meeting  was  illegal,  and  appointed  Samuel  Davis  of  Oxford, 
Capt.  Robert  Taffc  of  Mendon,  and  Capt.  John  Farnum  of  Ux- 
bridge,  to  make  a  list  of  valuation  of  all  the  real  and  personal 
effects  belonging  to  the  inhabitants  of  the  town,  that  the  qualified 
voters  might  be  known,  and  lodge  the  same  with  Robert  Goddard, 
Esq.,  a  justice  of  the  peace  for  the  county  of  Worcester.  This 
left  the  town  without  a  government. 

On  the  22d  of  August,  pursuant  to  a  warrant  issued  b}'  Robert 
Goddard,  under  authority  of  the  court,  another  meeting  was  held, 
and  the  following  officers  chosen  and  qualified  according  to  law : 
Town  Clerk,  John  Marsh  ;  Selectmen,  John  Marsh,  Isaac  Comings, 
William  Davenport ;  Assessors,  William  Jepherson,  "^^'illiam  Dav- 
enport, Seth  Marsh;  Treasurer,  Jeremiah  Whiting  ;  Tything-men, 
Joseph  Robbins,  Benjamin  'Titus,  Thomas  Cook ;  Constables, 
Samuel  Taft,  Lorenzo  Rol)bins.  These  gentlemen  continued  to 
S2rve  the  remainder  of  the  A^ear  with  unquestioned  authority. 

At  the  annual  town  meeting  held  March  12,  "  1749-50,"  John 
Marsh  was  chosen  Town  Clerk.     For  "  mending  highways  "  £200 


FROM   1785—1754.  61 

(old  tenor)  was  granted,  a  man  to  have  £1  per  day  in  Jnne,  July 
and  August,  and  at  all  other  times  but  14s.  A  committee  was 
also  chosen  to  provide  a  school,  which  was  to  be  continued  for  a 
period  of  six  months,  and  Seth  Marsh,  Caleb  Hill  and  Samuel 
Dudley  were  a])pointed  to  carry  out  this  vote. 

Aug.  13,  175U.  —  Voted,  that  "  the  committee  chosen  to  glaze 
the  meeting  house  should  have  their  mone}'  as  soon  as  it  was  re- 
ceived from  the  non-residents,"  and  a  proposition  to  "  inquire  into 
the  reasons  why  Rev.  Mr.  Phipps  had  not  received  his  last  year's 
salary  "  was  voted  down.  From  the  few  brief  hints  given  by  these 
laconic  records  it  is  somewhat  difficult  to  understand  whether  the 
real  aninuis  of  these  seeming  opponents  of  the  religious  teacher 
of  the  town  was  of  a  merely  personal  or  general  character.  It 
would  seem  that  the  fate  attending  the  famous  Captain  Weston's 
colony  at  AYessagussett,  as  the  town  of  We3'mouth  was  then  called, 
ought  to  have  settled  the  scruples  of  any  inclined  to  venture  upon 
any  similar  experiment,  for  it  is  a  notable  fact  that  the  ignoring  of 
religion  entirely  by  this  offshoot  of  Pl^'mouth  Colony  as  a  commu- 
nity, ended,  after  a  fair  trial,  in  such  thorough  demoralization  as 
not  only  to  render  these  colonists  a  Ijj'-word  of  reproach  even 
among  their  Indian  neighbors,  but  so  abjectlv  destitute  also  as  to 
make  them  objects  of  charitv  on  the  part  of  their  white  brethren. 

In  the  month  of  September  of  this  same  year,  at  another  legal 
meeting,  the  town  voted  not  "to  allow  Rev.  Mr.  Phipps  £50  in 
place  of  the  same  amount  expected  but  not  received  from  Dr.  Doug- 
las." The  failure  of  Doctor  Douglas  to  fulfill  his  promises  of  finan- 
cial aid  to  the  town  seems  never  to  have  caused  any  special  bitter- 
ness of  feeling  toward  him  on  that  account,  so  far  as  any  reference 
is  made  to  the  subject  on  the  town  records.  This  has  given  rise  to 
the  suggestion  that  their  non-fulfillment  was  caused  b}'  embarrass- 
ment, or  from  causes  be3'ond  his  control.  Possibly  the  hbel  suit 
in  which  he  became  involved  after  the  publication  of  the  first  vol- 
ume of  his  Historical  Summary,  which  is  said  to  have  been  the 
reason  why  he  put  his  property  out  of  his  own  immediate  posses- 
sion at  one  time,  may  have  had  something  to  do  with  his  ultimate 
failure  in  this  regard. 

Dec.  27,  1750. — Voted  to  petition  the  General  Court  for  the  an- 
nexation of  the  farms  of  Mr.  Draper  and  Mr.  Murdock.      Also  to 


52  HISTORY   OF    DOUGLAS. 

'"  sell  the  scool  lot  lying  b}'  the  meeting  house  to  the  hiest  bider, 
at  £G  (old  tenor)  per  acre." 

March  11 ,  1751.  — At  the  annual  election  of  officers,  Jeremiah 
"Whiting  was  chosen  Town  Clerk,  and  William  Davenport,  John 
Leonard  and  Captain  Hill,  Selectmen. 

May  G,  1751.  ~  Voted  that  the  width  of  "  contery  roads  "  should 
be  four  rods,  and  town  roads  two  rods.  The  letter  "D"  was 
adopted  for  a  town  brand.  It  was  also  voted  to  let  out  the  school 
money  upon  interest,  and  to  build  a  pound. 

June  12,  1751.  —  The  voters  assembled  at  the  house  of  Capt. 
Caleb  Hill,  inn-holder,  chose  Edward  Aldrich  surveyor  of  high- 
ways, and  adjourned  without  transacting  further  business. 

August  3U,  1751.  —  ^"oted  to  petition  the  General  Court  for  an 
omission  of  the  Province  tax,  and  Capt.  Caleb  Hill  chosen  to  carry 
the  petition  to  Boston. 

March  9,  1752.  — The  record  under  this  date  shows  "  Caleb  Hill 
chosen  '  Destrict  Clark,'  and  Jeremiah  Whiting,  Ralph  Shepard, 
Capt.  David  White  and  Jedediah  Phipps  Selectmen.  Refused  to 
raise  ye  minister's  salary  to  £50  per  annum,  also  to  remunerate 
Captain  Stearns  '  for  ye  trouble  he  have  bin  put  to '  concerning  ye 
line  between  Douglas  and  Uxbridge,  and  to  sell  a  tract  of  land 
given  by  ye  proprietors  of  '  Shearl)Ourn'  for  ye  benefit  of  a  school. 
It  was  voted  to  ha^^e  a  reading  school  kept  six  months  in  ye  sev- 
eral parts  of  ye  town,  and  £2  2s.  8d.  appropriated  for  its  support." 

Oct.  11,  1752.  — A  committee  was  chosen  ^'  to  confer  with  Rev. 
Mr.  Phipps  about  ye  price  of  Indian  corn  for  ye  present  year,  in 
order  that  ye  minister's  sallarv  rate  may  be  made." 

Nov.  3,  1752.  — Voted  to  put  seats  into  the  meeting-house. 

March  12,  1753. —Capt.  David  White  and  Capt.  Caleb  Hill 
were  chosen  a  conmiittee  to  secure  to  the  district  the  donations  of 
Dr.  Wm.  Douglas.  Voted  to  sell  the  land  given  b}' the  proprietors 
of  Sherburn  for  the  benefit  of  a  school. 

Aug.  20,  1753.  — A'oted  toraise  £8,  lawful  money,  to  provide  a 
town  stock  of  arms  and  ammunition,  according  to  law.  Dea.  John 
Marsh  was  allowed  six  shillings  for  keeping  the  fey  and  sweeping 
the  meeting-house.  The  salary  of  the  Town  Treasurer  was  fixed 
at  £1  per  year.     The  town  voted  to  provide  a  "  funeral  cloth." 

Nov.  26,  1753.  —The  friction  touching  Rev.  Mr.  Phipps'  clerical 
relation  comes  up  again,  as  the  record  states  that  "  propositions  to 


FROM     1735—1754.  53 

readjust  3^6  minister's  salary,  and  to  see  what  ye  town  would  do 
about  a  school  were  passed  over." 

Feb.  11,  1754.  — By  vote  of  the  town  the  price  of  Indian  corn 
was  set  at  2s.  4d.  per  bushel  for  the  year. 

April  IG,  1754.  —  The  connnittee  chosen  to  secure  the  donation 
of  Doctor  Douglas  were  directed  to  "-  demand,  receive  and  recover 
the  remainder  of  said  donations,  in  behalf  of  the  town" — the  onl}^ 
reference  to  this  matter,  thus  far,  having  the  slightest  caustic  flavor. 

Some  of  the  older  inhabitants  will  remember  the  time  when 
tithing-men  were  chosen  among  the  other  officers  of  the  town,  as 
regularly  as  the  annual  town  meeting  came  round,  some  of  the  most 
respectable  and  dignified  men  in  the  town  being  selected  for  this 
l)osition.  Their  badge  of  office  was  a  long  staff',  and  it  was  their 
duty  to  be  regularly  present  in  the  meeting-house  on  the  Sabbath, 
and  to  note  anj'  disturbance  in  or  aroiuid  the  premises.  They  took 
care  that  all  should  be  in  the  meeting-house  before  the  services 
commenced,  and  also  had  an  eye  on  those  who  were  among  the  ab- 
sentees from  church  ;  and  inasmuch  as  all  labor  and  traveling  on 
the  Sabbath  was  forl)idden  by  law,  it  became  the  duty  of  these 
officials  to  see  the  law  enforced  in  this  respect  also,  as  well  as 
that  which  prohibited  all  placing,  amusement  or  unnecessary  work 
on  the  Lord's  Day. 


CHAPTER   V 


FROM   1T54-1791. 


MORE  amiable  relation  between  the  peo- 
ple and  the  minister  now  begins  to  appear, 
as  this  record  of  the  town  meeting  shows  : 
May  20,  1754.  — The  following  propo- 
sition was  sent  to  Rev.  "William  Phipps  : 

' '  The  District  of  Douglas  do  agree  to 
give  to  our  reverend  pastor,  Rev.  Mr. 
William  Phipps.  for  his  suitalile  encour- 
agement and  comfortable  support,  to 
preach  the  gospel  among  us  during  the 
term  of  seven  j'ears  next  to  come,  the  sum  of  £53  6s.  8d.,  lawful 
money,  for  his  yearly  salary,  one  half  of  said  salary  to  be  paid  to 
our  said  pastor  in  mone}',  and  the  other  half  in  labor,  in  the  lieu  of 
the  contract  made  with  our  said  pastor  the  twenty-third  day  of 
October,  1747." 

The  pastor  signified  his  willingness  to  accept  these  terms,  upon 
condition,  however,  that  the  amount  to  be  paid  in  labor  should  be 
paid  within  the  compass  of  each  of  the  seven  years,  and  in  such 
husliandry  work  as  he  would  be  willing  to  accept,  which  was  ac- 
ceded to  b}'  the  town. 

Aug.  13,  1754.  —  A  settlement  of  accounts  between  Mr.  Phipps 
and  the  town  took  place,  when  the  treasurer  and  minister  signed 
the  following  document,  which  certainly  evinces  anything  but  an 
unamiable  relation  between  him  and  his  parishioners  : 

"  Upon  a  careful  adjustment  of  all  accounts  and  Demands  this 
Day  made,  between  the  Treasurer  of  the  District  of  Douglas  and 
in  behalf  of  the  District,  and  the  Pastor  or  Lawful  Congregational 
minister  of  the  same,  it  appears  that  said  Destrict  and  minister 


FROM    1754—1791.  55 

upon  a  balance  are  cleare  and  Piach  of  said  parties  cleare  :  of  all 
Dues  unto  or  Demands  of  nione^'  upon  Each  other  Relaitingto  said 
minister's  sallary  :  of  any  Name  or  Tenor  whatsoever:  viz.,  from 
the  begining  of  the  world  to  the  first  Day  of  marcli  Last  past. 

W.  Phips,  CovgregcCl  minister. 
Jere.  Whiting,  Treas." 

Nov.  4,  1754. — The  town  granted  £G,  lawful  money,  for  the 
support  of  a  school,  and  authorized  the  Selectmen  to  determine 
its  location. 

Dec.  27,  1755.  —  In  obedience  to  an  act  imposing  a  tax  upon 
distilled  spirits,  the  town  clerk  reported  that  the  amount  of  rum 
consumed  by  families  in  town,  bought  out  of  the  Province,  was 
twenty-nine  gallons  and  three  quarts.  It  wouldn't  appear  from  this 
that  intemperance  prevailed  to  any  very  great  extent  at  this  date, 
though  a  queiy  arises  about  the  reliableness  of  this   "  return." 

Oct.  6,  1757.  — The  sum  of  £10  was  appropriated  for  the  sup- 
port of  schools,  to  be  set  up  in  live  parts  of  the  town. 

Dec.  10,  1759.  —  Voted  to  petition  the  General  Court  for  license 
to  set  up  a  lottery,  to  repair  the  road  in  Douglas  from  John  Marsh's 
to  the  Connecticut  line,  the  benefit  from  said  lottery  to  amount  to 
$1,000,  exclusive  of  charges.  Capt.  Caleb  Hill,  Capt.  David 
AVhite  and  Ensign  Jedediah  Phipps  were  appointed  to  present  the 
petition. 

March  10,  17G0.  —  Voted  to  build  a  fence  around  the  burpng- 
ground,  at  an  expense  of  $G. 

In  1769,  "  inasmuch  as  the  Proprietors'  original  plans  are  much 
impaired  and  grown  dull,  and  hardlv  legible,  it  was  voted  to  desire 
Joseph  Twitchell  to  new  draught  them,  agreeable  to  the  Proprie- 
tors' Records." 

In  Februaiy,  1773,  the  old  school-house  near  the  church  was 
turned  into  a  work-house  —  a  sort  of  penitentiary,  where  people 
were  confined  and  put  to  hard  labor  for  the  crime  of  poverty.  Its 
use  for  such  a  purpose  made  it  an  object  of  special  aversion  to  all 
whom  necessity  had  made  the  subjects  of  public  charity. 

The  depreciation  of  currencj'  operated  to  largely  increase  the 
obligations  of  the  town,  and  the  treasurer's  account  exhibited  a 
debt  of  £2,500,  which  was  paid  off  in  November,  1780.  The  early 
inhabitants  had  a  horror  of  debt,  and  their  management  of  finan- 


TUAYEIl'S  ULOCK,   MAIN   STREET,    EAST  DOUGLAS. 


FROM   1754—1791.  57 

cial  matters  was  in  striking  contrast  with  that  of  the  present  da}-. 
If  a  person  innoeentl}'  came  in  possession  of  counterfeit  inonej',  of 
which  there  was  a  considerable  quantit}^  in  circulation,  it  would 
be  redeemed  at  the  expense  of  the  town,  and  many  instances  maj^ 
be  found  on  record  where  this  was  done.  When  the  Revolution 
was  ended,  the  Continental  monc}'  on  hand  was  sent  to  a  Boston 
broker  for  disposal.  There  was  considerable  of  it  in  the  treasury, 
but  its  value  was  ver}'  uncertain,  and  a  committee  was  chosen  to 
count  it,  and  to  see  that  it  was  disposed  of  to  the  best  advantage. 
"  Cornering  the  market "  was  practiced  by  speculators  then  as  well 
as  now,  but  the  people  had  an  effectual  way  of  stopping  it.  Com- 
mittees were  chosen  to  '  ^  take  care  of  those  persons  who  buy  and 
sell  articles  to  raise  the  extraordinary  price."  Such  an  item  as 
this  last  one  makes  ns  wish  now  and  then  that  the  same  sort  of 
•'  care  "  were  in  order  to-day. 

The  following  description  of  the  appearance  presented  by  our 
town  long  ago  will  be  read  with  interest : 

Main  street  was  originally  a  turnpike,  owned  and  controlled  by 
a  stock  company,  and  was  the  most  important  thoroughfare  be- 
tween Boston  and  New  York.  An  immense  amount  of  staging 
and  teaming  was  done  over  this  road,  particularly  during  the  war 
of  1812,  when  large  quantities  of  stores  and  thousands  of  passen- 
gers were  conveyed  between  the  principal  eastern  towns.  There 
was  a  toll-gate  at  Badluck  Pond  (afterwards  removed  to  near 
where  V.  M.  Aldrich  now  lives),  one  in  Mendon,  and  another  at 
Bellingham.  Twelve  and  a  half  cents  was  the  amount  Avhich  each 
person  on  horseback  or  with  chaise  was  required  to  pay  at  these 
gates.  Large  quantities  of  flour  were  transported  from  New  York 
to  Boston  over  this  route,  requiring  the  employment  of  manv  horses 
and  men.  Usually  a  number  of  teamsters  would  club  together  and 
employ  a  separate  team  to  carry  food  and  fodder  to  the  places  of 
rendezvous.  Collins  Thayer,  a  brother  of  our  present  townsman, 
Mr.  Asa  Thaj'er,  was  large I3'  engaged  in  teaming  over  this  turn- 
pike, and  generally  drove  a  tandem  team  of  four  horses. 

For  the  accommodation  of  all  this  travel  and  business,  numerous 
hotels  were  kept  in  every  town,  and  there  were  then  more  public 
houses  in  Douglas  than  will  probably  ever  be  again.     The  principal        ^ 
one  was  kept  at  the  Center  by  Paul  Dudley,  on  the  site  of  the       W0 
present  one  kept  by  James  H.  Dudley'.    We  believe  there  has  been 


■58  HISTORY   OP   DOUGLAS. 

a  hotel  kept  on  this  spot  for  a  century,  uninterrupted!}',  always 
bearing  a  good  character,  and  never  passing  out  of  tlie  hands  of  the 
Dudleys.  Being  "  to  the  manor  born,"  Mr,  Dudley  ought  to  know- 
how  to  "  keep  a  hotel,"  and  evidently  does  know.  The  character 
of  the  house  has,  of  course,  been  gi-eatly  changed  since  those  daj'S, 
as  time  has  wrought  changes  in  everything.  When  night  came  on 
the  yard  was  generally  filled  with  vehicles  of  travelers,  who  par- 
took of  the  hosi)itality  of  the  Avayside  inn  while  their  horses  were 
comfortably  provided  for  in  the  adjoining  stables.  The  lumbering 
stage-coach,  carrjing  the  mails  and  passengers,  would  roll  by  at 
regular  intervals,  then  the  only  vehicle  of  pubhc  conveyance.  The 
construction  of  railroads  has  diverted  all  this  travel  and  ])usiness 
into  new  channels,  and,  instead  of  being  the  busy  scene  of  com- 
merce and  activity,  the  Center  is  now  a  quiet  but  industrious 
community  of  formers  and  artisans  ;  and  the  hotel,  though  losing 
none  of  its  respectabiUty,  is  no  longer  the  scene  of  bustle  and 
commotion,  and  has  become  a  quiet,  retired  resort  for  summer 
boarders,  and  a  favorite  stopping  place  for  those  who  deUght  in 
eating  good  dinners  and  sleeping  in  clean,  comfortable  beds. 

A  public  house  was  also  kept  on  the  Asa  Thayer  place,  about  a 
mile  east  of  the  village  of  East  Douglas,  in  Uxb ridge  ;  and  Israel 
Thayer  also  kept  a  hotel  near  the  lower  village  factor}',  although 
the  inn-holder's  license  was  in  the  name  of  Benjamin  Wallis,  3d. 
In  1818  the  "  Gale  House  "  was  open  to  the  public,  and  was  kept 
for  a  short  time  by  Beniah  Morse. 

The  two-story  brick  building  now  standing  on  the  Caleb  Hill 
place  was  originally  built  of  wood,  before  the  Revolution,  and  was 
used  for  many  years  as  a  hotel  by  Capt.  Caleb  Hill.  The  house 
has  been  kept  in  good  repair,  no  material  changes  having  been 
made  in  its  interior  arrangement.  It  will,  no  doubt,  outlast  many 
of  the  more  modern  houses.  The  lai-ge,  old-foshioned  stone  chim- 
ney, with  its  oven  and  smoke-hole  for  smoking  hams,  and  the 
beaufet,  with  its  shelves  for  decanters,  glasses  and  loaf  sugar,  still 
remains  ;  and  the  old  tavern  sign  which,  a  century  ago,  welcomed 
the  traveler  seeking  rest  and  refreshment,  is  now  carefully  pre- 
served by  the  Hill  family.  This  sign  has  been  painted  three 
times,  the  last  time  in  1800,  and  bears  the  coat  of  arms  of  the 
State  of  Massachusetts  on  one  side,  and  the  national  eagle  and 
motto  on  the  other.     Underlying  this  last  painting  that  of  a  for- 


FROM    1754—1791. 


69 


mer  one  is  distinctly  visil)le,  and  so  perfect  that  the  accompanying 

accurate  copy  of  it  has   been  engraved.      The  sign  presents  the 

same  figure  and  inscription  on  both  sides. 

Over  the  fire-phxce,  in  what  was  once  the  waiting-room  of  tlie 

hotel,  is  a  panel  painted   in  oil  —  a  view  of  the  City  of  Boston  in 

its  infancy.  This  was 
preserved  until  within 
a  few  3'ears,  when,  in 
making  some  repairs,  it 
received  a  coat  of  white 
l)aint. 

The  fine  common  in 
front  of  the  house  has 
been    cut    through    in 
making  subsequent  im- 
provements   in     Main 
street,  and  its  beauty 
was    greatly    impaired 
thereby.     It  was  once 
the      favorite      village 
training  ground.     The 
house,  although  origi- 
nallj-   built    of    wood, 
was   transformed    into 
one    of  brick  by  con- 
structing the  walls  out- 
side    of    the    original 
frame,  about  the  year 
I'SIT.       Captain    Hill, 
the      first     proprietor, 
was    one  of  the  prin- 
cipal men  of  Douglas, 

MOSES   HILL   TAVERN   SIGN.  ,  .     , 

and  occupied  many 
public  positions.  He  was  the  progenitor  of  a  numerous  family, 
many  of  the  descemlants  of  whom  are  still  residents  of  the  town. 
He  was  succeeded  in  the  office  of  landlord  by  his  son  Moses.  At 
his  death,  Caleb,  ftither  of  the  present  owner,  came  into  its  pos- 
session, but  it  was  closed  as  a  public  house,  and  has  since  remained 
a  private  dwelling.     Away  l)ack  in  the  history  of  the  town,  we 


3D 
O 

o 

Q 

s 


a 


c 

Q 

ft 


PROM  i7")4— nsii.  61 

(ind  that  it  was  a  (.•oiiimon  tliinu'  lor  tlie  voters  to  assemble  at 
this  hotel  to  s]ia:)e  the  destinies  of  the  town,  and  to  devise 
measures  tor  supporting  the  Continental  armies  iu  the  struggle 
with  (Jreat  Britain,  llei'e.  too,  in  hiter  yeai's,  during  tiie  Shay 
insurrection,  the  ineident  recorded  in  anothei'  (•ha[)ter  took  place. 

The  '•  Douglas  and  Pi'ovidence  tui-ni)ike  "  was  built  about  the 
•  year  1<S()S.  through  what  was  almost  a  dense  forest.  Another 
turnpike,  which  was  a  continuation  ol'  the  ]*rovidence  road,  ex- 
tended from  Douglas  to  Oxford,  and  for  many  years  it  was  the 
most  direct  r(»ute  for  ti'avcl  between  Providence  and  the  towns  iu 
this  vicinity.  It  passed  through  the  meadows  now  flowed  by  the 
Whitin  reservoir,  and  l)y  the  house  of  Joseph  Wallis,  which  stood 
in  about  the  centre  of  the  submerged  territory.  Benjamin  Adams 
was  the  owner  of  a  large  tract  of  land  in  Douglas  AVoods,  includ- 
ing the  Streeter  farm,  so-called.  The  "  Gore  tui'upike,"  through 
these  woods,  was  built  in  1820,  through  the  exertions  of  Benjamin 
Adams  and  Paul  Dudley.  It  led  froni  Dudley's  tavern  to  Webster. 
Previous  to  the  c<jnstructi(^n  of  this  road,  the  only  way  to  get  to 
Webster  was  throngh  East  Thompson,  or  around  through  Oxford. 

Prior  to  1832  the  territory  lying  west  of  Douglas,  now  Web- 
ster, was  known  as  '-Oxford  South  Oore,"  and  a  road  crossing 
the  turnpike  in  the  south  part  of  the  town  was  known  as  the  "•  Gore 
road."  In  1814  there  stood  at  the  junction  of  these  two  roads  a 
building,  then  showing  marks  of  age,  which  was  known  as  the 
Coffee  Plouse.  and  had  in  fonner  times  been  kept  as  a  hotel.  This 
was  the  last  house  on  the  turnpike  l)efore  reaching  the  Rhode  Is- 
land line.  Joseph  Hunt  and  John  Adams,  two  old  residents  of 
Douglas,  can  distinctly  remember  every  family  living  on  the  turn- 
pike at  that  time,  and  have  related  to  us  the  following  :  James 
Tillev  tenanted  the  Cotfee  Plouse  near  Badluck  Pond.  Tlien.  going 
towards  the  Center,  came  the  farms  or  residences  of  two  Chase 
families,  Philip  IIoAvell,  Barnabas  F.  Howell  (a  hatter),  Levi 
Morse,  Minor  Morse  and  Pliny  Johnson,  the  latter  living  upon  what 
is  known  as  the  ••  Stoddard  place."  Then  came  Paul  Dudley's 
hotel,  the  parsonage  and  church,  and  the  residencesof  David  Dud- 
ley. Oliver  Hunt,  Sanuiel  Balcom,  Henry  Kidell,  Joseph  Emerson 
and  Stephen  Southworth.  all  at  the  Center.  Edmund  Carpenter 
and  Nathaniel  Carpenter  hved  at  Centerville.  the  latter  a  tanner. 
The  onl}-  houses  on  that  part  of  the  turni)ike  running  through  East 


G2  HISTORY   OF   DOUGLAS. 

Douglas  Avore  those  of  ]\[oses  llolbrook  tiiul  Ik'ujainiii  Cragiii  (at 
the  Jjovell  Southwiek  place),  Caleb  Hill  (at  the  old  tavern  stand) ^ 
Emory  Taft  (present  residence  of  Rev.  AVm.  T.  Briggs),  Capt. 
Joseph  Hunt,  Samuel  Legg,  James  Farwell,  Isaac  Gale  (near  the 
Axe  Compan3''s  office),  widow  Sprague  (at  the  Nahum  Legg  i)lace), 
and  AVidow  Ilarwood  (at  the  Noah  Taft  place).  Aaron  Hill,  a 
one-armed  man,  whose  chief  occupation  was  pigeon-catching,  lived 
on  the  place  now  occupied  b}'  G.  W.  Manalian,  just  in  the  edge  of 
the  A'illage.  Noah  Taft  lived  on  the  Howell  farm,  in  the  hollow, 
formerl}'  known  as  the  "  Hprague  house,"  and  where  once  stood  a 
blacksmith  shop.  AMdow  White's  was  the  last  residence  on  the 
turnpike  before  reaching  the  Uxbridge  line.  Other  families,  of 
course,  there  were  in  town,  l)ut  they  did  not  live  on  the  turnpike. 
A  distillery  formerly  stood  upon  the  site  of  Anderson  Hunt's  pres- 
ent residence,  and  was  torn  down  in  1822,  when  John  Adams  built 
the  house  now  standing. 

Lovell  Pulsipher  represented  the  town  in  the  General  Court  in 
1789,  and  also  in  the  year  following.  Under  instruction  from  the 
town  he  took  charge  of  a  number  of  the  State's  poor  whom  the  Leg- 
islature had  ordered  to  be  removed  from  the  town  of  Boston. 

All  officers  of  the  State  or  town,  before  assuming  the  duties  of 
their  respective  positions,  were  required  to  renounce  and  abjure  all 
allegiance,  sulyugation  and  obedience  to  the  king,  queen  or  gov- 
ernment of  Great  Britain,  and  to  declare  that  no  foreign  prince, 
person  or  potentate  ought  to  have  any  jurisdiction  over  them. 

The  bridge  over  the  Mumford  river,  near  Caleb  Hill's,  was  built 
in  1787.  Persons  from  all  parts  of  the  town  were  allowed  to  work 
out  their  highway  taxes  upon  it,  and  they  were  credited  as  though 
the  same  amount  of  work  was  pei'formed  in  their  own  districts. 

Aaron  Marsh  was  chosen  Representative  in  1792,  receiving  forty- 
four  votes,  the  whole  number  cast. 

Several  cases  of  small-pox  appeared  in  that  3'ear,  but  the  town 
voted  not  to  allow  inoculation  to  prevent  the  spread  of  the  disease. 
In  the  winter  of  1825  this  terrible  disease  again  made  its  appear- 
ance, attended  with  a  fearful  mortalit}'.  The  first  case  was  a 
daughter  of  John  Aldrich,  and  within  the  next  few  weeks  the  fol- 
lowing-named persons  died  of  the  disease  :  John  Aldrich  ;  Joseph 
Aldrich  ;  the  wife,  son  and  daughter  of  Paul  White  ;  AVillis  Walker  ; 
Joshua  Fairbanks  ;  James  Lee  and  wife  ;  Mrs.  Tiffi\ny  ;  Joseph 


FROM    1754—1791.  6S 

Ricliardsoii,  Jr.  ;  Mrs.  Ilarwood,  and  a  child  named  Aldricli. 
Tlie  persons  above  mentioned  included  some  of  the  most  respected 
residents  of  the  town,  and  the  ravages  of  the  pestilence  in  sweep- 
ing them  away  caused  great  sadness  and  gloom  throughout  the 
entire  conniiunity.  About  thirt}'  cases  existed  at  this  time,  some  of 
tiiem  taken  in  the  natural  way,  and  others  by  inoculation. 

The  meeting-house,  having  become  rusty  with  age,  in  Septem- 
ber, 171)3,  it  was  voted  to  have  it  "colored,"  and  Mr.  Aaron 
Marsh  was  instructed  to  procure  the  materials  and  superintend 
the  work.  In  the  following  year  the  windows  were  repaired.  To 
meet  the  expense  of  these  repairs  it  was  voted  to  sell  the  pew 
gi'ound  that  belonged  to  the  town,  and  apply  the  proceeds  to 
this  purpose. 

In  17'Ji)  Jeremiah  Whiting  led  oft'  in  a  proposition,  which  the 
town  adopted,  respecting  the  pastor's  salary.  Afterward  some 
doubt  arose  in  regard  to  the  import  of  this  vote,  when  it  was  made 
clear  by  the  following  explanation  : 

AVhereas,  In  ni}'  proposal  to  the  town  of  Douglas,  dated  June 
27,  1799,  I  proposed  that  the  town  should  pay  to  the  Congrega- 
tional teacher  of  piet}',  morality  and  religion  of  the  town  of  Douglas, 
fourteen  dollars  annually,  and  as  doubts  arise  respecting  the 
meaning  of  said  proposal  in  that  case,  therefore  I  would  mean 
to  be  understood  that  the  town  of  Douglas  shall  make  use  of  said 
fourteen  dollars  annually  for  to  pay  the  public  teacher  as  aforesaid 
for  his  services  in  the  ministry  of  said  town  of  Douglas. 

The  town  was  not  represented  in  the  General  Court  in  1793,  but 
in  the  following  j'ear  Aaron  Marsh,  who  was  also  town  clerk,  was 
chosen  representative.  A  resolve  of  the  Legislature  called  for  an 
accurate  map  of  each  township,  and  Mr.  Marsh  was  chosen  to  make 
such  a  map,  with  the  assistance  of  two  of  the  Selectmen. 

In  1794  the  town  voted  to  make  up  the  pay  of  non-commissioned 
officers  and  soldiers,  enlisted  or  detached  by  order  of  Congress,  to 
ten  dollars  per  month,  and  to  pay  a  bounty  of  nine  dollars  upon 
passing  muster. 

Massachusetts  was  divided  into  Congressional  Districts  in  the 
year  1794,  and  Douglas  was  one  of  the  towns  constituting  the  Third 
Western  District.  Dwight  Foster  was  elected  Kepresentative  to 
Congress.  A  memorial  from  the  inhabitants  of  Douglas,  addressed 
to  him  at  Philadelphia,  was  replied  to  as  follows  : 


64  HISTORY   OF   DOUGLAS. 

Philadelphia,  Mav  12,  171)G. 
Gentlemen  :  I  had  the  pleasure  on  Monday  last  to  receive  the 
Memorial  of  the  Inhabitants  of  Donglas  relative  to  the  appropria- 
tions for  defraying  the  expense  of  carrying  the  treat}'  lately  nego- 
tiated between  the  United  States  and  Great  Britain  into  effect.  I 
immediately  presented  the  Memorial  to  the  House  of  Representa- 
tives, and  it  is,  with  others  of  a  similar  kind,  laid  on  the  table. 
Happily,  previous  to  that  time  a  bill  f(n-  the  purpose  had  passed 
both  houses  of  Congress,  and  had  been  approved  by  the  President. 
This  subject  has  caused  great  anxiety  and  agitation.  It  was  highly 
momentous  and  important  to  our  country.  That  the  people  at 
large  should  have  been  alarmed  was  not  surprising.  Their  good 
sense  and  the  information  generalh'  diffused  enabled  them  to  judge 
w^hat  would  have  been  the  consequences  of  a  refusal  on  the 
part  of  the  legislative  bod}'  to  make  the  necessary  provisions. 
Consequences  would  have  ensued  which  appeared  dreadful  in  the 
extreme,  and  which  were  most  devoutly  to  be  deprecated.  I  con- 
gratulate you  on  the  happy  result,  and  must  confess  I  feel  a  pleasure 
in  reflecting  that,  in  the  discharge  of  what  I  considered  to  be  my 
dut}',  I  have  conducted  it  agreeably  to  the  sentiments  of  so  great  a 
proportion  of  my  respected  fellow  citizens. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  with  great  respect,  gentlemen,  your 

most  obed.  servt. 

D WIGHT  Foster. 
Selectmen  of  Douglas. 

The  above  letter,  in  a  good  state  of  preservation,  is  filed  away 
with  miscellaneous  documents  in  the  office  of  the  town  clerk. 

The  following  "  balance  sheet"  of  the  town  Treasurer,  nearly 
a  hundred  years  ago,  may  serve  as  an  excellent  model  in  simplicity 
and  economy  for  contemplation  in  these  days  : 

TOWN    TREASURER'S    ACCOUNT    IN  1791. 
The  Town  of  Boujlasto  Lt.  Benjamin  Wallis,  Jr.,  Town  Treasurer : 

Dr. 

To  paid  Selectmen's  orders, 

Two  orders  from  Abel  Foster, 

Paid  on  Natli'l  Brown's  note, 

John  Gould,  remitted  rates, 

Four  Selectmen's  orders,  

Sum  total, 301     19 


£289 

1 

11 

2 

1 

15 

6 

0 

0 

12 

0 

0 

0 

7 

5 

0 

10 

1 

9 

1 

FROM   1754—1791. 


65 


,  Cr. 

By  received  town  taxes, 

John  Whiting,  note  for  .pew, 

Benj.  Wallis,  Jr.,  note  for  pew,     . 

Caleb  Whiting,  note  for  pew, 

Capt.  John  Brown,  note  for  pew, 

Aaron  Hill,  note  for  pew, 

Sanuiel  Wallis,  part  of  note, 

Eli  Stockwell,  note  and  interest, 

Lt.  Elijah  Moore,  interest, 

Josiali  Humes,  interest, 

Lt.  David  Wallis,  interest, 

John  and  David  Balconi,  interest, 

Benj.  Dudley,  for  nails, 

Lt.  yam'l  Amidon,  on  note, 

Total, 

Balance  due  the  Treasurer,  . 

At  the  presidential  election  in  1792  the  whole  number  of  votes 
cast  was  22,  although,  according  to  the  Assessors'  enumeratiou, 
there  were  6G  legal  votes  in  the  "north  part  of  Douglas."  The 
following  table  shows  the  gradual  increase  of  the  number  of  voters 
from  time  to  time  : 


£248 

13 

7 

3 

G 

0 

0 

0 

5 

10 

0 

0 

5 

14 

0 

0 

5 

G 

0 

0 

0 

15 

8 

0 

2 

15 

0 

0 

4 

4 

5 

2 

1 

17 

2 

0 

1 

0 

7 

0 

4 

12 

G 

0 

2 

14 

6 

0 

0 

3 

8 

0 

10 

1 

9 

1 

£299 

8 

11 

2 

£2 

10 

2 

1 

Number  of  voters  in  1797, 
Number  of  voters  in  1804, 
Number  of  voters  in  1806, 
Number  of  voters  in  1807, 
Number  of  voters  in  1816, 
Number  of  voters  in  1817, 


145 
130 
152 
153 
218 
246 


June  27,  1791,  the  town  voted  to  procure  a  new  stock  of  am- 
munition, and  a  place  was  provided  for  it  in  the  attic  of  the  meet- 
ing-house. It  was  voted  at  the  same  time  to  build  a  "Virginia 
rail  fence  on  the  east  side  of  the  cemetery,  at  an  expense  of  20s." 

Ebenezer  Marsh  asked  permission  to  set  a  house  on  the  com- 
mon land,  but  was  refused,  and  it  was  decided  to  purchase  a  piece 
of  land  at  a  cost  of  £3,  which  he  was  allowed  to  occupy  during  his 
natural  life.  We  cannot  understand  the  reason  for  this  unusual 
generosity,  unless  it  was  to  reward  Mr.  Marsh  for  faithfully  per- 
forming the  duties  of  church  sexton. 

In  November,  1794,  the  Selectmen  of  Douglas,  Uxbridge  and 
Sutton  met,  and  established  the  boundaries  between  the  respective 
towns  by  branding  trees  with  a  marking  iron. 

5 


CHAPTER    VI. 


WAR    OF    THE    REVOLUTION. 

HE  part  enacted  by  the  inhabitants  of  Douglas  in  the 
severe  and  long-protracted  struggle  of  our  country  against 
the  t^-rannv  of  England  in  the  Revolutionarv  War  is 
worthy  of  all  praise.  Considered  as  a  desperate  resist- 
ance by  a  mere  handful  of  recruits,  who  had  to  learn  the 
art  of  whipping  the  regulars  of  Great  Britain,  a  wealth}' 
nation  of  cultured  and  well-drilled  warriors,  on  the  sea 
as  well  as  on  the  land,  this  struggle  ranks  among  the 
grandest  of  all  such  popular  uprisings  in  the  world's  his- 
tory. But  when  we  add  to  this  view  of  it  the  hardships 
which  had  alread}'  been  encountered  by  the  settlers  in 
their  wearisome  toil  in  subduing  a  new  and  rigorous 
country,  superadded  to  all  which  must  be  cited  the 
feai'ful  and  blood}'  atrocities  perpetrated  against  them 
by  the  Indians  and  their  white  allies  for  almost  a  hun- 
dred and  fifty  3'ears,  the  fact  of  their  final  triumph  over 
this  apparently  inA'incible  arra}-  of  antagonisms  assumes 
a  grandeur  difficult  of  comprehension. 

From  the  fact  that  it  is  not  often  referred  to,  it  may  be  well  at 
this  point  briefly  to  call  attention  to  the  singular  fatality  attending 
the  repeated  and  long-continued  attempts  which  had  been  made 
from  time  to  time  to  inaugurate  on  our  continent  some  of  the  Euro- 
pean forms  of  government.  The  wonderful  discoveries  by  Colum- 
bus naturally  had  the  eflfect  of  arousing  an  unwonted  spirit  of  en- 
terprise among  these  nations  for  the  expansion  of  their  possessions 
as  well  as  power.  Spain  and  Portugal  were  among  the  first  to  ven- 
ture forth  on  their  schemes  of  cupidity  and  conquest,  a  papal  bull 
by  Alexander  VI  granting  them  "  all  the  heathen  and  undiscov- 


WAR   OP   THE   REVOLUTION.  67 

•ered  countries  of  the  globe  !"  John  and  Sebastian  Cabot  are  soon 
in  quest  of  new  dominions  for  England,  and  Labrador  comes  immo- 
<liatel3' under  Anglo-Saxon  rule.  Verrazzano  in  1523  enters  the 
list  of  explorers,  starting  off  in  search  of  a  western  passage  to 
Cathay,  but  is  strangely  led  into  New  York  and  Newport  harbors. 
Twenty  years  later  Ferdinand  De  Soto  through  Florida  reaches  the 
Mississippi.  The  Marquis  de  la  Roche,  forty  years  after  this,  re- 
news Cartier's  attempt  to  colonize  new  France  on  the  St.  Law- 
rence, but  realizes  only  a  temporar}-  success.  Champlain  subse- 
•quenth'  founds  a  settlement  there,  but  does  not  find  a  foothold  for 
a  nation,  though  a  patent  is  given  him  for  "the  whole  Atlantic 
coast,  from  Montreal  to  Philadelphia  !"  The  tragic  fate  meted  out 
to  Coligny's  attempt  to  establish  himself  in  Florida  and  the  Caro- 
linas  is  equally  significant.  Nor  ought  we  to  omit  from  this  brief 
but  suggestive  epitome  the  futile  attempt,  as  late  as  1569,  under  a 
royal  charter,  to  transplant  bodily  the  monarchial  regime  of  Eng- 
land to  Virginia,  where  it  was  deliberately  proposed  that  the  immi- 
grant colonists,  without  representation  in  an}"  form,  should  be  sub- 
jected to  "  the  arbitrary  will  of  a  governor  appointed  by  a  com- 
mercial corporation,"  as  Bancroft  states  it. 

AVe  shall  be  pardoned  for  saying  that  the  utter  failure  of  all 
these  schemes,  so  enthusiastically  proposed,  and  backed  by  such 
an  array  of  authority  and  financial  ability  in  their  prosecution,  would 
surely  serve  to  dishearten  utterly  the  early  colonists,  as  they  con- 
templated the  terrible  disparity  in  their  numbers  and  resources  as 
compared  with  the  alarming  array  of  military  and  naval  power 
T\-hich  Great  Britain,  grown  haughty  by  past  conquests,  could  bring 
against  them.  Nevertheless,  with  a  firm  and  unyielding  trust  in 
that  wise  Providence  which  they  so  clearly  recognized  as  having 
reserved  a  goodly  heritage  for  their  occupation,  the}'  began  their 
heroic  struggle  against  both  monarch  and  corporation. 

In  this  gallant  contest  Douglas  had  the  honor  of  being  repre- 
sented doubtless  by  the  maximum  percentage  of  volunteers,  com- 
paring her  small  number  of  inhabitants  with  that  of  the  remaining 
towns  in  the  State.  As  far  as  can  now  be  ascertained,  her  avail- 
able population,  at  the  commencement  of  the  war,  did  not  reach 
three  hundred  in  cdl!  And  few  towns  probabl}-  can  boast  of  a 
bona  fide  representation  of  seveut3'-five  men  in  the  army  at  the 
lowest  computation,  out  of  as  small  a  community.     And  to  the 


68  HISTORY   OF   DOUGLAS. 

honor  of  the  citizens  of  Douglas  it  must  also  go  upon  the  record 
that  they  contributed  most  generousl}'  of  their  means  to  help  on 
the  struggle,  as  will  appear  in  the  facts  which  we  shall  be  enabled 
to  give  in  these  pages.  Nor  were  they  lacking  in  those  elements 
of  statesmanship  which  could  detect  an  infringement  of  the  rights 
of  freemen  in  a  proposed  article  of  State  constitution,  and  that  by 
professed  Republicans  too,  as  well  as  in  the  bolder  but  not  less  de- 
testable oppressions  of  Parliament. 

In  177-i  the  militia  was  reorganized,  and  Douglas  was  assigned 
to  the  Seventh  Regiment,  together  with  the  towns  of  Mendon, 
Uxbridge,  Northbridge  and  Upton  —  Sutton  and  Oxford  being  in 
the  Second  Regiment.  At  this  time  the  Selectmen  were  Caleb 
Hill,  Joshua  Fairbanks,  Edward  Aldrich,  Robert  Humes  and 
Nathaniel  Snow,  all  of  whom  were  among  the  active  participants 
in  the  various  measures  devised  for  opposing  the  arbitrary  exac- 
tions of  Great  Britain. 

In  the  month  of  March  a  letter  was  received  l\y  the  town  clerk ^ 
William  Dudley,  from  the  committee  of  correspondence  at  Boston, 
setting  forth  that  the  administration  had,  by  imposing  certain 
taxes,  set  aside  the  chartered  rights  of  the  people,  and  showing 
clearly  that  the  repeated  usurpations  of  the  officers  of  the  crown 
had  a  manifest  tendency  to  draw  them  into  slaver}'  and  bondage. 
A  letter  of  similar  import  was  also  received  from  Worcester, 
accompaiiied  by  suggestions  as  to  the  advisability  of  appointing 
committees  in  the  various  towns  of  the  count}-,  to  whom  should  be 
entrusted  the  duty  of  seeking  to  secure  concerted  action  in  the 
emergencies  which  were  likely  to  arise,  and  which  could  only  be 
properly  met  by  some  such  prudential  arrangement. 

In  accordance  Avith  these  suggestions  a  committee  was  chosen 
to  co-operate  with  those  of  other  towns  in  devising  the  best 
methods  for  carrying  out  the  plans  which  should  from  time  to  time 
be  adopted.  This  committee  for  the  town  of  Douglas  was  com- 
posed of  William  Dudley,  Jedediah  Bigelow,  Caleb  Whiting, 
Elijah  Moore  and  Samuel  Balconi. 

On  the  19th  of  August,  1774,  it  was  deemed  important  to  call 
a  convention  of  representatives  from  the  different  towns  in  the 
county,  so  threatening  had  the  aspect  of  the  affairs  of  the  colonists 
become,  and  this  gathering  was  appointed  to  be  at  the  inn  of 
Mrs.  Mary  Stearns,  in  the  town  of  Worcester.     The  convention 


WAR    OF    THE    REVOLUTION. 


69 


"was  well  attended,  and  the  condition  of  the  country  was  earnestly 
and  candidly  considered,  and  resolutions  of  a  most  thoroughlj^ 
patriotic  nature  were  enthusiastically  adopted.  Samuel  .Jennison 
was  chosen  to  represent  Douglas  in  this  convention,  and  it  will  he 
seen  that  he  took  a  very  prominent  part  in  its  delil)erations,  for  we 
find  him  one  of  the  committee  on  public  atlairs,  and  also  as  a  mem- 
ber of  the  committee  on  resolutions.     In  the  course  of  the  business 


HOUSE  OF   KEV.    WM.    T.    BRIGGS. 

brought  before  the  convention  a  proposition  was  made  to  take  some 
measures  that  would  check  the  judges  of  the  courts  in  their  willing 
and  obsequious  enforcement  of  the  harsh  and  irritating  exactions  of 
the  British  government,  and  after  mature  discussion  it  was  decided 
to  request  these  judges  to  refuse  any  farther  co-operation  with  Par- 
liament by  declining  to  sanction  its  unconstitutional  demands.  Mr. 
Jennison  was  selected  b}'  the  convention  to  repair  to  the  court- 


70  HISTORY    OF    DOUGLAS, 

house  and  cominiinicate  to  the  judges  the  decision  that  had  been; 
reached  in  tliis  matter,  which  dut}'  he  promptl}'  discharged,  and 
with  such  abiUty  and  ^igor  that  he  returned  to  the  convention  with 
an  assurance  from  twenty-one  of  them  that  they  would  comply 
with  the  retjuest  which  had  been  sent  them. 

Mr.  Jennison  was  also  appointed  as  a  member  of  a  committee- 
to  propose  some  plan  for  securing  a  more  acceptable  administra- 
tion of  justice  in  general,  in  view  of  the  many  and  well-nigh  intol- 
erable oppressions  that  had  been  endured  at  the  hands  of  the  law 
oflicers  of  the  crown.  Here  again  the  practical  good  sense  and 
energy  of  the  representative  from  Douglas  is  seen  in  the  fact  that, 
as  the  result  of  his  voice  and  vote,  the  judges  that  were  subse- 
quently appointed  were  from  those  who  had  the  interests  of  the 
colonists  at  heart,  and  who  would  perform  their  magisterial  duties 
on  this  line,  whether  in  accordance  with  existing  arbitrary  laws  or 
otherwise  —  a  long  stride  towards  the  goal  of  independence,  for 
which  the  hearts  of  the  people  were  now  daily  coming  to  be  more 
and  more  prepared.  A  ver}*  suggestive  incident,  showing  the- 
progress  alread}'  gained  in  this  direction,  is  given  among  the 
occurrences  of  these  times  :  The  order  of  the  convention  above 
alluded  to  seems  to  have  been  deliberately  ignored  b}-  one  of  the 
clerks,  whose  name  was  Samuel  Paine.  In  compliance  with  a  law 
of  Parliament,  this  clerk  proceeded  to  issue  venires  to  the  con- 
stable of  the  count}-,  whereupon  Mr.  Jennison  was  appointed  ta 
bring  him  before  the  convention.  He  soon  made  his  appearance 
with  the  contemptuous  clerk,  when,  after  listening  to  an  apology 
from  him,  and  in  consideration  of  his  being  somewhat  young  and  in- 
experienced, he  was  allowed  to  depart  witliout  further  molestation » 

It  ought  not  to  be  omitted  in  this  connection,  for  it  is  a  fair  ex-^ 
ponent  of  the  good  sense  and  comprehensive  views  of  the  leaders 
among  the  people  in  those  days,  that  at  this  convention  measures 
were  taken  to  establish  a  printing  office  in  the  count}',  and  b}' 
special  vote  it  was  agreed  to  make  vigorous  efforts  to  secure  the 
necessary  support  for  such  an  enterprise  from  all  the  towns  within 
the  county  limits.  Encouraged  in  the  highest  degree,  as  he  must 
have  been  by  this  prompt  and  decided  action  on  the  part  of  the 
citizens  of  the  county,  what  wonder  that  Isaiah  Thomas,  the  vete- 
ran patriot  lU'inter  who  had  so  defiantly  and  successfull}-  maintained 
his  opposition  to  the  loyalists  of  Boston,  removed  his  press  to  Wor- 


WAR   OF   THE  REVOLUTION.  71 

eester?  ]Mr.  Thomas  took  this  course  simply  because  he  could  no 
longer  remain  in  safety  in  Boston,  and  on  the  third  of  May  follow- 
ing the  battle  of  Lexington,  in  which  he  was  personalh-  engaged, 
he  issued  the  first  number  of  the  Massachusetts  Spy  from  its  new 
quarters  in  Worcester. 

AA' hen  the  Provincial  Congress  of  deputies  from  the  towns  in  the 
Province  of  jNIassachusetts  Ba}'  assembled  at  Salem,  on  the  7th  of 
October,  1774,  Mr.  Jennison  was  again  selected  as  the  represent- 
ative from  Douglas.  Among  his  associates  from  this  vicinity  were 
Samuel  Baldwin  of  Xorthbridge,  Capt.  Joseph  Reed  of  Uxlnidge, 
and  Capt.  Henry  King  and  Edward  Putnam  of  Sutton.  At  this 
time  the  British  troops  were  in  complete  possession  of  Boston,  but 
so  ominous  had  the  demonstrations  of  patriotic  feeling  become  in 
many  quarters  that  the  loyalists  had  already  begun  the  erection  of 
defensive  works  ou  the  Neck,  in  the  direction  of  the  town  of  Dor- 
chester. This  was  construed  as  an  earnest  of  the  intention  of  the 
British  authorities  to  press  their  measures  against  the  peace  and 
prosperity  of  the  people,  and  a  message  was  forwarded  to  Governor 
Gage,  in  which  he  was  politel}'  assured  that  the  colonists  had  not 
the  least  intention  of  doing  any  injury  to  the  king's  troops  ;  but 
the  message  also  proceeded  to  saj-  that,  if  he  regarded  the  dignity 
and  happiness  of  the  empire,  and  the  peace  and  welfare  of  the 
Province,  "  that  fortress  commanding  the  south  entrance  to  the 
town  of  Boston  must  be  demolished,  and  the  pass  restored  to  its 
natural  state  ! " 

How  much  of  the  audacity  characterizing  the  above  peremptory 
message  may  have  been  attributable  to  the  rapid  gTowth  and  im- 
portance which  had  been  acquired  b}'  the  town  where  the  Congress 
had  assembled,  may  be  inferred  from  the  fact  that  there  were  sent 
out  from  Salem  during  the  war  that  so  soon  followed  one  hundred 
and  fifty-eight  privateers,  mounting  two  thousand  guns,  canying 
not  less  than  six  thousand  men,  and  capturing  in  all  four  hundred 
and  fort^'-five  prizes,  nine-tenths  of  which  were  brought  safely  into 
port !  A  sense  of  the  absolute  justness  of  their  title  to  independ- 
ence must  have  pervaded  the  hearts  of  such  a  people,  and,  forti- 
fied with  such  a  conviction,  they  may  well  be  pardoned  for  having 
thought  themselves  to  be  equal  to  the  emergency  they  encountered 
so  braveh" ;  and  they  would  doubtless  have  triumphed  over  even 
very  much  gi-eater  impediments. 


72  HISTORY   OF   DOUGLAS. 

But  in  all  the  deliberations  at  this  rendezvous  of  patriotic  men 
at  the  Salem  Congress,  which  were  watched  by  the  people  every- 
where with  intensest  solicitude,  Mr.  Jennison  felt  himself  to  be 
so  fully  sustained  by  the  patriotic  constituency  which  he  repre- 
sented that  his  A'ote  was  alwa3's  given  for  the  people,  no  matter 
how  adverse  to  the  crown  ; .  and  on  returning  home  he  found  his 
course  so  fully  approved  that  he  was  promptly  sent  to  represent 
the  town  in  the  Second  Congress,  which  assembled  in  Cambridge 
in  the  following  February. 


CHAPTER   VII. 


REVOLUTIONARY    WAR CONTINUED. 

XCITEMENT  in  public  affairs  was  now  fast  culmina- 
ting to  its  onty  issue,  that  of  overt  resistance  to  any 
and  ever}^  form  of  British  domination  ;  and,  as  Gen- 
eral Gage  expressed  it  at  the  interview  between  him 
and  the  Boston  boys,  whose  snow-forts  and  skating- 
grounds  on  the  Common  had  been  repeatedly  and 
wantonly  destro^'ed  by  the  soldiers,  "  the  ver}'  chil- 
dren drew  in  a  love  of  libert}'  with  the  air  they 
breathed."  The  inhabitants  of  Douglas  so  eagerh'  shared  in  the 
general  feeling,  on  the  breaking  out  of  hostilities,  that  from  the 
warlike  preparations  carried  on  in  their  midst  it  would  almost  seem 
that  they  felt  their  own  town  to  be  in  danger  of  invasion.  The 
captains  of  all  the  military  companies  were  ordered  to  assemble 
their  commands  at  the  earliest  moment  practicable.  On  the  9th 
of  Januaiy,  1775,  a  grand  muster  and  inspection  took  place,  when 
the  enlisted  men  were  provided  with  as  mau}^  muskets  as  could  be 
procured,  and  all  the  ammunition  which  could  be  prudently  spared. 
Minute-men  were  chosen  by  the  town,  who  were  ordered  to  keep 
themselves  in  readiness  to  appear  for  active  service  at  any  moment 
when  called  upon.  In  the  magnanimity  of  their  hearts  it  was  at 
the  outset  decided  to  pay  these  men  for  their  time  and  services  in 
this  capacity,  but  after  fully  cauAassing  the  matter  in  town  meet- 
ing, in  which  all  mercenary  motives  were  spurned,  and  the  men 
had  declared  themselves  ready  to  make  an}'  sacrifice  for  the  good 
of  the  country,  the  vote  placing  them  underpay  was  finally,  though 
not  without  reluctance  on  the  part  of  the  great  proportion  of  the 
voters,  rescinded. 

The  king's  troops  had  at  this  time  committed  no  act  of  blood- 


74  HISTORY    OF   DOUGLAS. 

shed,  their  leaders  standing  in  sakitary  fear  of  adding  this  to  their 
numerous  othfir  outrages.  But  such  were  their  numbers,  backed 
b}-  the  power  behind  the  representatives  of  the  crown  resident  in 
Boston,  that  the  mere  presence  of  such  a  well-organized  band  of 
military  was  a  source  of  perpetual  terror  to  the  great  l)ody  of  peo- 
ple outside  of  Boston,  as  well  as  to  those  still  remaining  there. 
In  addition  to  the  man}-  and  Ijurdensome  levies  upon  private 
property  by  the  Governor  and  his  oflicials,  which  were  almost  con- 
tinuall}-  occurring,  all  business  had  come  to  an  alarming  degree  of 
stagnation,  necessitating  a  large  amount  of  suffering  and  want. 
In  the  midst  of  this  distressful  state  of  things  an  arrangement 
was  finally  consummated  whereby  those  who  desired  to  leave  the 
town  were  permitted  to  do  so.  Those  availing  themselves  of  this 
opportunity,  however,  were  for  the  most  part  possessed  of  so  little, 
either  for  their  support  or  journey  away  from  the  town,  that  they 
were  obliged  to  tlirow  themselves  upon  the  charity  of  their  com- 
patriots. It  was  estimated  that  not  less  than  five  thousand  peo- 
ple were  thus  rendered  almost  entirel}'  destitute,  and  unable  to 
bear  the  expense  to  which  the}*  were  subjected.  As  soon  as  the 
facts  became  known,  the  Provincial  Congress  recommended  that 
the  diflferent  towns  extend  such  aid  as  was  in  their  power  to  these 
refugees.  On  the  23d  of  January,  1775,  a  town-meeting  was 
called  in  Douglas  to  take  this  matter  into  consideration,  when  it 
was  with  commendable  promptness  voted  that  these  suflTerers  by 
British  depredations  in  Boston  and  Charlestown  should  receive 
such  relief  as  the  inhabitants  of  the  town  were  able  to  offer  ;  and 
it  appears  that  twenty-two  of  these  exiles  from  their  homes,  their 
business,  and  tlieir  possessions,  were  provided  for  by  the  Douglas 
people  until  the}"  could  arrange  for  themselves. 

During  a  portion  of  the  year  1775  Capt.  Caleb  Hill,  already  a 
veteran  in  the  service  of  his  town  in  various  capacities,  was  act- 
ively engaged  in  the  Continental  service,  and  at  one  time,  with  a 
command  of  only  four  men,  escorted  a  number  of  prisoners  through 
the  town  to  a  place  of  safety.  He  was  provided  with  an  order  re- 
quiring all  inn-holders  in  the  towns  through  Avhich  he  passed  to 
furnish  the  necessar}'  supplies  for  the  subsistence  of  his  party.  In 
July  of  that  year  Captain  Hill  was  sent  to  Watertown  as  a  delegate 
to  the  General  Court,  an  indication  of  the  deep  esteem  in  which 
he  was  held  by  his  townsmen,  both  as  civilian  and  as  soldier. 


REVOLUTIONARY   WAR  —  CONTINUED.  i  5 

Lieut.  Ezra  Whitney  represented  tlie  town  in  tlie  Provincial 
Congress  wLiich  commenced  its  session  at  Concord  in  April,  1775. 
In  May  following,  Dea.  Jeremiah  Whiting  was  sent  to  the  General 
Court  at  Watertown,  and  was  succeeded  by  Mr.  Hill. 

Immediately  after  the  battle  of  Lexington  (April  19)  the  town 
was  called  upon  for  arms,  ammunition  and  clothing  for  tlxe  army. 
This  was  promptly  responded  to  b}'  forwarding  seven  fire-arms,  a 
quantity  of  powder,  and  twenty-four  coats.  Later  in  the  history 
of  the  struggle  the  town  voted  to  raise  for  the  support  of  the 
soldiers  and  families  of  those  who  were  serving  in  the  Continental 
arm}'  the  sum  of  £100,  and  William  Johnson,  Ezra  Whiting  and 
Robert  Humes  were  chosen  to  distribute  the  money. 

The  condition  of  public  affairs  following  the  commencement  of 
the  war  with  Great  Britain  had  necessitated  the  appointment  of 
committees  of  safety  and  correspondence  in  the  different  towns, 
and  on  the  11th  of  March,  1776,  such  a  committee  was  appointed  in 
Douglas,  consisting  of  Caleb  Hill,  William  Dudle}',  Ezra  Whitney 
and  Nathaniel  Snow.  It  was  the  dut}'  of  these  gentlemen  to 
co-operate  with  Congress  and  with  various  committees  in  promoting 
the  cause  in  which  the}'  were  engaged,  to  carefully  inspect  and 
report  everything  derogatory  to  and  consistent  With  the  struggle 
of  an  oppressed  people  to  regain  their  independence,  and  in  every 
wa}'  to  use  their  influence  to  support  the  measures  adopted  by  the 
Provincial  Congress  for  the  safet}'  and  interest  of  the  inhabitants. 
That  this  duty  was  promptly-,  enei'getically  and  satisfactorily  at- 
tended to,  we  have  every  reason  to  believe. 

On  the  13th  of  June,  1777,  a  committee  was  chosen  to  look 
after  such  persons  as  were  suspected  of  being  tories,  or  enemies  ta 
the  American  cause,  and  in  the  discharge  of  their  duties  Daniel 
Aldrich,  Stephen  Streeter,  John  Hevendeen,  Joseph  Emerson, 
Nathaniel  Snow,  Samuel  Parker,  Daniel  Hunt  and  Abner  Pevey 
were  arrested  on  suspicion,  and  held  for  examination  ;  but  they 
were  all  found  to  be  innocent,  and  were  discharged. 

The  Declaration  of  Independence  was  approved  l\y  the  town 
on  the  24th  of  June,  1776,  not  a  single  vote  being  recorded  in 
opposition  to  it.  To  show  that  the  people  were  in  earnest  in  de- 
claring themselves  "  independent  of  the  crown  of  Great  Britain," 
they  at  once  forwarded  for  the  use  of  the  army  six  each  of  shovels » 
axes,  picks  and  spades. 


Y6  HISTORY   OF   DOUGLAS. 

During  the  war  Douglas  contributed  most  liberally  of  her 
limited  means  to  the  support  of  the  arm}-  and  the  families  of  those 
•who  had  entered  the  service.  In  March,  1777,  £25  were  granted 
for  the  purchase  of  coats  for  the  soldiers,  and  a  bounty  of  £8  per 
year,  or  during  the  war,  was  offered  to  all  who  enlisted,  until  the 
quota  of  the  town  was  filled.  In  the  following  month  an  addi- 
tional bount}'  of  £25  was  offered  to  all  who  had  enlisted,  or  should  do 
so  previous  to  Ma}'  1st,  and  the  entire  amount  necessary  to  meet 
this  expense  was  assessed  and  paid  into  the  treasury  at  once.  In 
March,  1780,  $500  in  paper  money  was  paid  to  all  who  enlisted 
for  three  months,  and  a  fixed  rate  of  pa}'  established  for  three 
and  six-months'  men.  A  summar}'  of  the  various  sums  contrib- 
uted for  the  pay  of  soldiers  and  support  of  their  famiUes  places 
the  amount  at  more  than  £70,000,  exclusive  of  bounties  and  indirect 
expenses,  which  would  largely  increase  the  amount.  A  large  share 
of  this,  of  course,  was  in  depreciated  paper  currenc}',  requiring 
at  one  time  £12  to  purchase  a  Inishel  of  corn  ;  but  a  portion  of  this 
was  in  supplies  having  a  positive  value,  and  often  the  appropria- 
tions were  made  in  "  silver  money." 

There  are  no  means  of  ascertaining  the  actual  number  of  men 
who  enlisted  in  the  army  from  this  town.  On  the  13tli  of  June, 
1777,  the  first  bounty  was  offered,  and  an  account  of  the  disburse- 
ments shows  that  a  number  of  men  responded.  In  1779  nine  men 
were  furnished  upon  requisition  from  Congress.  In  1780  the  best 
information  places  the  number  of  men  in  the  service  at  about 
twenty.  Sixteen  three-months'  men  and  sixteen  six-months'  men 
were  subsequently  enlisted,  and  in  the  latter  part  of  December 
nine  men  were  enlisted  for  three  j-ears,  or  during  the  war.  In 
July,  1781,  six  men  were  sent  to  West  Point,  and  a  number  into 
Rhode  Island.  According  to  these  figures,  it  is  probable  that  at 
least  seventy-five  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  town  served  in  the  Con- 
tinental army  between  the  years  1776  and  1781.  Their  quota  was 
filled  at  every  call  for  men,  and  they  as  promptly  answered  every 
requisition  of  the  Continental  Congress.  When  we  consider  that 
the  entire  population  could  not  have  exceeded  three  hundred,  and 
that  their  limited  means  frequentl}'  compelled  them  to  ask  for  an 
abatement  of  the  Province  tax,  the  facts  here  given  are  an  admi- 
rable commentary  upon  their  patriotism  and  devotion  to  the  cause 
of  American  freedom,  and  their  deeds  rise  to  sublimity  when  we 


REVOLUTIONARY   WAR — CONTINUED.  77 

find  no  recorded  act  of  opposition  to  tlie  measures  for  the  accom- 
plisliment  of  the  glorious  results  of  the  long  and  bitter  war.  The 
feeling  which  pervaded  the  community  is  better  illustrated  by  the 
proceedings  of  a  meeting  held  Dec.  25,  1780,  when  John  Ta3'lor, 
Aaron  Benson,  Caleb  Whiting,  Ezra  Whiting,  Isaac  Martin,  David 
Thompson,  and  Job  Knapp,  —  a  committee  appointed  to  take  into- 
consideration  the  resolves  of  the  General  Court  relating  to  furnish- 
ing men  and  means  for  the  war,  —  presented  their  report,  which 
was  unanimousl}'  and  enthusiasticall}'  adopted.  They  declared  it 
to  be  the  duty  and  for  the  interest  of  the  town  to  engage  the  men 
called  for,  without  delaj^,  for  three  years  or  during  the  war,  and 
that  they  should  have  all  the  public  bounties,  clothing,  refresh- 
ments and  pay  granted  by  the  town.  State,  and  continent.  Fur- 
thermore, it  was  declared  that  no  man  should  be  accepted  who  had 
not  been  a  resident  of  the  town  for  three  moiiths,  and  that  no 
prisoner  or  deserter  from  the  British  army  should  be  accepted  in 
anv  case. 


CHAPTER    VIII 


RE  VOLUTION  AKY    WAR CONTINUED. 

X  the  last  few  chapters  we  have  directed  atteution  to 
some  of  the  many  facts  going  to  show  the  hearti- 
ness and  efficiency  with  whicli  the  people  of  our  town 
entered  into  the  terrible  struggle  for  our  national  in- 
dependence. We  trust  it  will  be  conceded  by  all 
that  these  facts  have  not  been  unduly  emphasized, 
but  on  the  contrary  have  been  onty  in  the  most  mod- 
est spirit  spread  on  the  permanent  local  record  we 
have  here  given  them.  Granting  this  humble  claim, 
we  ma}'  well  be  pardoned  for  raising  the  question 
whether  our  fathers,  so  unhesitatingl}'  coming  to  the  front  in  the 
direful  work  of  war,  when  destructiveness  well-nigh  eclipses  every 
other  consideration  of  public  policy,  were  equally  devoted  and  effi- 
cient in  the  grander  task  of  reconstructing  the  elements  of  a  torn 
and  distracted  country-  into  a  symmetrical  and  practical  order  of 
government.  As  we  progress  in  our  inquiries  we  hope  to  show 
that  in  this  more  difficult  line  the  part  assumed  by  our  fathers  was 
equally  creditable. 

As  early  as  Oct.  15,  177G,  when  every  intelligent  and  gen- 
uine patriot  began  to  perceive  that  the  status  of  the  different  State 
governments  was  destined  to  be  of  at  least  nearly  equal  importance 
with  that  of  independence  of  the  mother  country,  Lieut.  Sanmel 
Jenuison,  one  of  the  recognized  men  of  abilit}-  and  influence  in 
Douglas,  as  well  as  through  the  Commonwealth,  drew  up  a  pream-  , 
ble  and  resolution  on  this  subject  for  the  consideration  of  his  fellow- 
citizens  at  a  town-meeting.  The  paper  was  listened  to  with  deep 
interest,  and  attracted  so  much  of  public  attention  that  it  was 
called  for  at  a  subsequent  delegated  convention  of  the  count}'. 


REVOLUTIONARY    WAR — CONTINUED.  79 

In  view  of  the  important  part  accomplished  in  the  future  history  of 
the  State  b}'  this  document,  we  present  the  original  draft,  which 
was  as  follows  : 

"  As  the  good  order,  well-being  and  happiness  of  every  State 
depends,  under  God,  on  the  establishment  of  such  a  mode  or  form 
of  government  as  is  most  lasting  in  its  nature  and  beneficial  in  its 
consequences  ;  and  as  this  State,  with  the  rest  of  the  continent 
sharing  tlie  unhappy  controversy  with  Great  Britain^  rendering- 
it  necessary  of  relinquishing  the  government  of  that  State,  and 
declaring  tliemselves  independent  of  that  crown,  the  Grand  Council 
of  the  Tnited  Congress  have  recommended  to  every  State  therein 
the  forming  and  establishing  such  a  mode  or  form  of  government 
as  to  them  shall  appear  likely  to  be  attended  with  the  most  lasting 
iind  salutar}'  consequences,  as  to  the  present  and  future  genera- 
tions ;  and  the  General  Assembly  of  this  State,  having  signified  to 
€very  town  and  district  therein  the  design  of  attending  to  that 
business,  have  called  on  them  for  their  assistance  and  approbation, 
and  have  recommended  such  towns  and  districts  as  neglected  to 
return  a  member  or  members  at  the  last  election  that  they  send 
one  or  more  at  this  time,  that  the  wisdom  of  the  whole  State  may 
be  called  on  so  important  an  undertaking,  — 

We,  therefore,  the  freeholders  and  other  inhabitants,  freemen 
of  Douglas,  after  timely  notice  convened,  having  taken  the  mat- 
ter under  consideration,  and  well  weighing  the  importance  and 
necessity  of  ha-ving  a  frame  of  government  established  in  this  State 
whereb}'  the  lives,  liberties  and  properties  of  this  people  may  be 
rendered  safe  and  secure,  a  foundation  laid  for  the  tranquillity  and 
happiness  of  future  generations,  do 

Resolve,  That  the  present  General  Court,  assembled  with  the 
Council  of  this  State,  do  form  a  plan  of  government  for  the  regu- 
lation thereof,  and  that  the  same  be  laid  before  the  inhabitants 
fit  large  for  their  approbation  or  rejection,  which,  if  approved,  shall 
be  established  as  a  form  of  government.  But,  if  any  essential 
alterations  or  amendments  be  judged  necessary,  in  such  case  the 
alterations  and  amendments  shall  be  made  before  the  same  shall  be 
established." 

The  highest  meed  of  praise  due  to  this  production  is  found  in 
the  simple  statement  that  it  was  finally  made  the  basis  of  that  ad- 


80  HISTORY    OF    DOUGLAS. 

inirable   frame-work  of  govermiient  under  which  we  have  Hved  so 
long  as  a  State. 

The  return  of  peace,  which  was  conchided  in  1783,  while  it 
spread  joy  throughout  the  American  colonies,  developed  the  fact 
also  that  the  government  and  the  people  of  Massachusetts  had  so 
entirel}'  devoted  their  energies  to  the  cause  of  the  Revolution  that 
they  found  themselves  loaded  with  an  enormous  weight  of  public 
and  private  debts.  The  paper  money,  which  was  nearly  the  entire 
currency,  was  so  depreciated  as  to  become  uearl}'  worthless ;  the 
resources  of  the  country'  were  exhausted  ;  and  credit  was  nearl}"  as 
low  as  was  the  paper  money  itself.  The  chief  creditors  of  the 
vState  were  its  own  citizens.  Some  of  tliem  had  advanced  money, 
and  were  honafide  creditors  ;  and  some  of  these,  with  others,  were 
government  officials  who  had  purchased  "  State  securities"  and 
"soldiers'  certificates"  at  less  than  one  eighth  of  their  nominal 
value,  and  these  could  have  afforded  to  wait  a  little  longer.  All 
these  creditors  were  pressing  the  government  for  pa^^ment,  and 
thus  pressed,  the  Legislature  yielded,  and  as  a  consequence  enor- 
mous taxes  were  assessed  upon  the  people. 

In  addition  to  the  amount  of  monej^  contributed  during  the  war, 
the  town  in  1783  was  assessed  £758  10s.  as  a  town  war  tax,  and 
$410  as  a  State  tax  ;  and  for  failing  to  send  a  representative  to 
the  General  Court  a  fine  was  imposed  upon  the  town  of  £20  10s. 
The  Legislature  had  passed  an  act  in  1782,  ordering  a  general 
valuation  of  the  taxable  propert}'  of  the  people.  Another  act  had 
levied  an  excise  or  duty  on  several  of  the  articles  of  trade.  With 
these  acts  the  people  had  become  very  much  dissatisfied,  asjthey 
were  thought  to  interfere  with  their  rights  and  privileges,  besides 
being  unequal  and  unjust ;  and  a  convention  was  called,  to  meet 
in  Worcester  on  the  1-1  th  of  April,  and  again  in  May  of  the  same 
year  (1782),  which  reported  a  list  of  grievances,  and  the  list  was 
sent  to  the  several  towns. 

In  the  following  j'car  Eliphas  Stearns  was  chosen  representa- 
tive, and  was  succeeded  by  Josiah  Reed  in  1 785.  During  the  session 
of  the  General  Court  in  1784  the  following  petition  was  presented, 
by  Mr.  Stearns,  having  previously  been  endorsed  by  the  voters  of 
Douglas  in  town  meeting  assembled  : 


REVOLUTIONARY    WAR — CONTINUED.  81 

-"  To  the  Honorable  Senate  a)id  House  of  Representatives  of  this 
Commomcealth  : 

The  petition  of  the  town  of  Donglas  liunibh'  showeth  that, 
althongh  the  good  people  of  this  Commonwealth  have  b}'  the  kind 
hand  of  the  Supreme  Governor  of  the  universe  been  prospered 
through  a  long  and  unnatural  and  cruel  war,  and  have  b}'  the  same 
protecting  and  overruling  hand  arri^-e  to  a  happy  issue  and  peace 
in  our  borders  ;  and  although  in  addition  to  the  a) »ove  said  blessing 
we  are  favored  with  a  good  Constitution,  under  which  Ave  enjo}-  a 
good  form  of  Government,  yet  there  are  certain  matters  of  griev- 
ance which  this  Commonwealth  labor  under  in  general,  and  this 
town  as  a  part  of  the  same,  which  we  think  may  and  ought  to  be 
redressed,  of  which  we  shall  mention  to  your  honors  the  follow- 
ing: 

1st.  The  giving  into  the  hands  of  the  honorable  the  Continental 
Congress  the  impost,  to  be  under  their  sole  control,  we  conceive 
to  be  a  grievance,  and  in  our  opinion  ought  to  be  immediately 
repealed.  Not  but  that  we  are  free  and  wilUng  that  an  impost  on 
all  imported  articles  should  immediately^  take  place,  but  the  pro- 
ceeds thereof  ought  to  be  paid  into  our  State  treasur}',  and  in  a 
constitutional  way  drawn  out  by  a  warrant  from  the  Governor  of 
the  Commonwealth,  and  if  appropriated  to  Congi'ess,  or  any  part 
thereof,  it  ought  to  be  set  to  our  credit,  so  we  ma}^  receive  the 
benefit  of  the  same,  which  we  conceive  no  State  in  the  Union  have 
any  just  right  to. 

2d.  We  conceive  that  the  expense  of  da^s  of  public  rejoicing 
ought  not  to  be  paid  out  of  the  public  treasury,  but  ought  to  be 
paid  by  those  who  partake  of  the  same,  and  not  b}'  the  Common- 
ft         wealth  at  large. 

3d.  The  making  large  grants  to  the  officers  of  the  late  Conti- 
nental arm}',  or  oflicers  of  the  public,  any  more  than  an  honorable 
pa}'  for  their  ser^-ices,  we  conceive  a  grievance,  and  under  our 
present  circumstances  ought  not  to  be  ;  and  wherever  any  has 
heretofore  been  made  they  ought  to  be  reconsidered,  for  in  our 
opinion  the  grants  heretofore  made  cannot  be  more  binding  on  the 
good  people  of  this  Coimiionwealth  than  that  of  the  redemption 
of  the  old  money,  which  in  our  opinion  most  earnest!}^  ought  to  be 
urged  by  the  General  Court,  and  that  no  further  grants  be  made 
to  the  Congress  until  the  other  States  in  the  Union  comply  with 


f 


82  HISTORY    OF   DOUGLAS. 

the  redemption  of  said  mone}',  and  that  his  excoUcnc}'  the  Governor 
be  requested  not  to  sign  any  warrants  on  tlie  treasury-  for  the 
remainder  of  the  four  hundred  thousand  pounds  which  is  now 
assessed  and  paid,  or  ought  to  be  paid  into  the  treasury,  until  a 
redress  is  obtained. 

4th.  That  tlie  good  people  of  this  State  are  greatly  oppressed 
and  distressed  for  the  want  of  a  proper  balance  of  a  circulating 
medium,  and  that  the  credit  of  the  State  greatl}'  suffers  from  no 
other  motives  than  the  necessities  of  the  people,  and  b}'  reason  of 
the  State's  holding  the  property  of  individuals  binds  one  part  of 
the  people  so  that  the  other  make  their  necessities  their  opportu- 
nit}',  which  much  agrieves  the  good  people  of  tliis  State  ;  and  we 
pray  that  wa3's  and  means  may  be  found  out  for  our  relief. 

"We,  3'our  humble  petitioners,  praj'  your  honors  to  take  those 
matters  into  3'our  wise  consideration,  and  grant  such  relief  as  3-ou 
in  your  wisdom  shall  see  just  and  reasonable,  and  your  petitioners- 
in  duty  bound  shall  ever  pra}'." 

This  petition  was  dated  Ma}-  19,  1784,  and  signed  by  Caleb 
Whitney,  Isaac  Martin  and  Lovell  Pulsipher,  who  constituted  a 
committee  to  draft  it.  Upon  the  back  were  the  following  endorse- 
ments : 

"May  10,  1784. 

"We,  the  Subscribers,  Bein  appointed  a  Committ}'  to  inquire 
instruction  to  the  Representative,  (viz.)  Mr.  Ehphas  Sterns, 
this  Da}^  chosen  to  represent  the  Town  of  Douglas,  do  hereby 
think  it  the  Deut}^  of  said  Mhabitance  of  said  Town  to  present  the 
petition  that  has  Ben  laid  before  them  at  their  meeting  for  the 
choice  of  their  Representative.  Wee  therefour  Do  hereby  Instruct 
the  above  Named  Representitive  to  use  his  Best  Influence  to  Ex- 
hibet  sd.  petition,  and  to  carr}^  the  same  into  Effect."  * 

No  signatures  were  aflixed,but  the  endorsement  was  apparently 
written  by  those  whose  names  were  attached  to  the  petition.  The 
second  endorsement  shows  that  the  petition  was  presented  to  and 
approved  by  the  count_y  convention  at  Worcester.  This  reads  as 
follows  : 

"We,  the  Delegates  dul^-  and  Legally  appointed  and  chosen  by 
our  respective  Towns  to  meet  in  County'  Convention,  to  consider 
of  certain  matters  of  grievances  which  the  good  peopel  of  this 


REVOLUTIONARY   WAR  —  CONTINUED.  83 

Commonwiltli  in  General  and  this  County  in  particular  Labour 
under,  we  are  unanimously  of  the  opinion  that  the  foregoing  peti- 
tion be  laid  before  the  several  towns  in  this  county  for  their  ai)pro- 
bation,  and  if  by  them  approved  of  the  same>  be  by  their  several 
Kej)reseutatives  presented  to  the  General  Court,  with  particular 
instructions  to  use  their  Influence  to  sea  that  the  same  be  immedi- 
ately attended  to.  Ebenezek  Davis,  per  order. 

Worcester,  April  ye  22th,  1783." 

The  people,  it  will  be  seen  b}'  these  documents,  were  in  a  state 
of  great  dissatisfaction,  and  the  inhabitants  of  Douglas  shared 
largely  in  it.  It  finally  culminated  in  the  famous  "  Shays  Rebel- 
lion." Among  the  causes  of  complaint  with  the  people  were  the 
high  salaries  of  public  officers,  the  fees  of  lawyers  and  sheriffs, 
the  frequent  suits  at  law,  and  the  consequent  costs  of  court.  In 
spite  of  the  remonstrances  and  petitions  of  the  people  the  courts 
continued  to  entertain  all  actions  for  the  recovery  of  debts,  and  to 
issue  executions  as  usual.  Wm.  Lincoln,  Esq.,  in  his  Historj'  of 
Worcester,  states  that  in  1784  more  than  two  thousand  actions 
were  entered  in  the  county  of  Worcester,  then  having  a  popula- 
tion of  less  than  fifty  thousand  ;  and  in  1 785  about  seventeen 
hundred  were  entered.  Lauds  and  goods  were  seized,  and  often 
sold  at  enormous  sacrifices,  the  general  distress  driving  away  pur- 
chasers. These  proceedings  became  so  odious  to  the  people  that 
several  of  the  towns  presented  the  extraordinary  prayer  to  the 
General  Court  that  the  "  courts  may  he  abolished  "  declaring  that 
they  "  conceived  their  existence  to  be  a  great  and  unnecessary  bur- 
den upon  the  people."  At  this  time  it  is  said  that  the  offices  of  the 
senior  Levi  Lincoln  of  Worcester,  Dwight  Foster  of  Brookfield, 
and  John  Sprague  of  Lancaster  (they  being  the  principal  lawyers 
in  the  county),  were  thronged  ever}^  da}-  with  suitors,  presenting 
the  appearance  of  some  public  day,  so  great  was  the  gathering  of 
the  people.  The  door-3'ards  of  their  offices  and  the  adjoining  fences 
were  thronged  with  the  horses  and  carriages  of  unfortunate  debt- 
oi's,  and  not  much  less  unfortunate  creditors.  As  the  courts  de- 
clined suspending  judgments  and  executions  on  suits  for  the 
collection  of  debts,  the  malcontents  formed  the  rash  and  desper- 
ate resolution  of  taking  the  law  into  their  own  hands  by  stopping 
the  sittings  of  the  courts  with  force  and  violence,  thus  preventing 


84  HISTORY   OF   DOUGLAS. 

ontirelj  the  issuing  of  executions.  In  September,  177G,  about  four 
hundred  men  from  most  of  the  towns  in  Worcester  count}^  assem- 
bled at  Worcester,  under  the  famous  Daniel  vShaAS,  and  succeeded 
in  preventing  the  sitting  of  the  court.  The  court  adjourned,  after 
continuing  all  actions  to  the  December  term.  In  December  the 
uprising  became  more  general,  and  showed  itself  in  Springfield  in 
strong  force.  It  is  said  that  the  numlier  of  persons  coming  from 
the  several  towns  to  Worcester  numbered  about  two  thousand, 
manj^  of  them  veterans  of  the  Revohition,  who  felt  that  the}'  wei-e 
now  as  much  called  upon  to  engage  in  the  defense  of  their  liber- 
ties as  they  had  been  at  any  time  during  the  war.  The  court  was 
again  overawed,  and  adjourned  to  the  23d  day  of  January,  1787, 
at  which  time  Governor  Bowdoin  sent  armed  forces  to  protect  the 
sitting  of  the  courts  at  these  points,  and  they  were  permitted  to 
proceed  unmolested  in  the  transaction  of  business  ;  and  finally  the 
malcontents  were  scattered  in  every  direction,  and  large  numbers 
of  tliem  were  arrested  and  imprisoned  in  different  parts  of  the 
State. 

The  leader  in  this  unhappy  revolt  was  possessed  of  mucli 
personal  influence  in  the  south  part  of  Worcester  county. 
Though  it  is  believed  he  never  was  a  resident  of  Douglas,  he  had 
nevertheless  a  strong  party  of  sympathizers  among  its  citizens, 
and  his  adherents  were  scattered  over  a  wide  territor}',  and  were 
in  considerable  force  in  this  part  of  the  State,  as  well  as  in  Rhode 
Island.  Some  of  those  belonging  in  town,  having  refused  to  pay 
the  taxes  assessed  upon  them,  their  cattle  were  seized  by  the 
town  authorities,  and  offered  for  sale  at  auction.  The  sale  was  to 
take  place  at  Hill's  tavern,  and  the  cattle  were  collected  there. 
But  before  the  time  appointed  for  the  sale  had  arrived  a  company 
of  men  from  Rhode  Island  appeared,  under  the  lead  of  one 
Wilmouth,  and  demanded  that  the  cattle  should  be  released  and 
returned  to  their  owners.  This  was  refused,  as  a  matter  of  course, 
and  a  desperate  hand-to-hand  fight  took  place,  in  which  the 
"  Shayites "  were  victorious.  Clubs  and  missiles  were  violently 
used,  and  blood  was  shed  freely,  but  fortunately  no  one  was 
killed. 

After  the  suppression  of  this  outbreak  under  Shays,  petitions 
were  forwarded  to  Ciovernor  Bowdoin,  praying  that  the  prisoners 
might  be  set  at  liberty.    The  General  Court  was  also  memorialized 


REVOLUTIONARY    WAR  —  CONTINUED.  85 

Oil  the  subject,  and  this  body  was  asked  to  pass  a  general  act  of 
indemnity,  and  also  to  suspend  the  action  of  the  courts  until  after 
election.  A  peculiar  significance  attaches  to  this  latter  petition,  from 
the  fact  that  Governor  Bowdoin,  ])eing  supposed  to  have  been  in 
some  degree  accountable  for  the  unpopular  acts  of  the  General 
Court,  it  was  thought  that  after  stricth'  enforcing  the  laws  he 
would  be  incHned  to  deal  severely  with  the  insurgents.  General 
Hancock,  his  rival  in  the  pending  election,  was  known  to  be 
favorable  to  a  more  lenient  pohc}'.  The  election  was  close  at 
liand,  and  hence  the  petition  for  delay.  When  the  election  took 
place  it  was  found  that  Governor  Hancock  was  elected  by  a  large 
majority.  The  vote  in  Douglas  stood  thus  :  For  (iovernor,  John 
Hancock,  44  ;  James  Bowdoin,  1  ! 

In  April,  177<S,  the  draft  of  a  form  of  government  submitted 
for  the  approval  of  the  people  by  the  Provincial  Congress  having 
been  received,  after  full  and  careful  discussion  it  was  rejected  by 
twent3'-six  majority.  The  town  also  refused  to  send  a  representa- 
tive to  the  General  Court,  which  was  in  perfect  consistency  with 
their  action  in  rejecting  the  draft  for  a  fonn  of  government.  But 
this  action  must  not  be  construed  as  denoting  any  lack  of  interest 
in  public  affairs  ;  on  the  contrary,  it  showed  that  the  question  of 
wliat  kind  of  government  should  succeed  to  that  which  they  had 
overthrown  during  the  war  had  received  the  most  careful  attention, 
and  the  voters  were  confident  that  in  some  respects,  which  they 
considered  vital  to  the  success  of  their  heroic  struggle,  a  better  form 
could  be  devised  than  that  which  had  been  submitted  to  them.  In 
the  month  following,  after  fully  canvassing  the  subject,  it  was 
decided  to  recommend  a  new  form,  such  as  they  conceived  to  be 
more  just  and  equitable,  and  Ezra  Whiting  was  directed  in  behalf 
of  the  town  to  aid  in  calling  a  convention  at  Worcester  to  take 
the  subject  into  consideration.  Such  a  convention  was  held,  and 
the  town  was  represented  by  Jeremiali  Whiting. 

The  voters  of  Douglas  assembled  in  town-meeting  May  8, 1780, 
to  take  into  consideration  the  measures  recommended  and  adopted 
by  the  Provincial  Congress  for  the  formation  of  a  new  State  gov- 
ernment. Each  of  the  thirty  articles  in  the  Declaration  of  Rights 
were  taken  up  separately,  and  with  but  few  exceptions  were  ap- 
proved, the  number  of  votes  cast  varying  from  fifteen  to  thirty- 
nine.     There  did  not  seem  to  be  a  full  concurrence  in  the  plan 


86  HISTORY   OF   DOUGLAS. 

proposed,  but  in  most  cases  where  there  was  a  feeling  of  dissent 
the  voters  chose  not  to  express  an  opinion  rather  than  to  seem  in 
opposition  to  the  wisdom  of  Congress. 

The  third  article,  which  empowered  the  Legislature  to  require 
each  town  to  maintain  institutions  of  pul)lic  worship,  was  accepted 
conditionally,  with  an  amendment,  and  the  wisdom  of  the  people 
here  manifested  is  apparent  when  we  learn  that  such  an  amend- 
ment as  was  proposed  was  adopted  subsequently  by  the  concm*- 
renee  of  the  requisite  number  of  voters  throughout  the  State.  The 
ninth  article,  providing  for  the  free  election  of  all  officers,  was 
rejected  b}'  thirteen  majorit\-.  Previousl}'  a  propert}*  qualification 
was  necessary  to  enable  a  man  to  vote  in  public  affairs,  and  the  . 

people  preferred  to  adhere  to  this  principle  rather  than  venture  an}' 
new  experiment.  In  this  their  wisdom  was  not  so  apparent.  The 
twent^'-ninth  article,  providing  for  the  appointment  of  judges  to 
hold  offices  during  good  behavior,  was  rejected  b}^  an  emphatic 
majority,  twenty-six  votes  being  cast  in  the  negative. 

The  constitution  was  considered  at  a  subsequent  meeting,  when 
all  the  voters  were  present,  all  of  whom  concurred  in  the  four  arti- 
cles relating  to  Legislative  powers.  The  first,  second,  and  fifth  of 
the  Senate  articles  were  rejected,  and  all  of  them  have  been  since 
amended.  The  third  and  fourth  articles,  relating  to  the  House  of 
Representatives,  were  also  rejected.  The  first  article,  conferring 
Executive  powers,  which  made  a  man  ineligible  to  the  office  of 
Governor  unless  he  should  declare  himself  to  be  of  the  Christian 
religion,  was  adopted  with  a  recommendation  that  the  word  "  Prot- 
estant" be  substituted  for  "Christian;"  and  an  amendment  was 
also  suggested  to  the  tenth  article  conditionally  upon  its  adoption. 
The  remainder  of  the  Constitution  was  accepted  without  opposi- 
tion, and  Elii)has  Stearns,  a  delegate  to  the  convention,  was  au- 
thorized to  use  his  judgment  in  expressing  the  will  of  the  people 
as  to  when  its  provisions  should  go  into  efiect. 


CHAPTER    IX. 


TOWN    ACTION    ON    EDUCATION. 

N  the  subject  of  schools  the  earliest  recorded  action 
of  the  town  occurs  in  1748.  Among  the  items  of 
business  transacted  at  this  meeting  is  the  following  : 
'•  ^"oted,  That  a  choole  be  kept  three  months  in 
^•e  summer  season."  This  leaves  it  fairly  to  be  in- 
ferred that  previously  the  town  had  given  this  mat- 
ter a  good  share  of  public  attention,  though  the 
record  on  that  point  has  not  been  preserved.  This 
becomes  all  the  more  probable  from  the  fact  that  at  least  one 
school-house  appears  alread}'  to  have  been  built,  and  which  was 
used  for  almost  all  purposes  of  a  i)ublic  nature  until  the  meeting- 
house was  finished,  which  was  at  this  date  in  process  of  comple- 
tion. 

This  pioneer  school-building  was  located  in  what  was  subse- 
quently known  as  the  Center  Village,  at  that  time  a  very  sparsely- 
settled  neighborhood,  surrounded  by  a  dense  forest,  marked  only 
here  and  there  by  a  house  or  cultivated  field.  And  it  should  go 
upon  this  page  of  our  town's  history,  as  a  wholesome  fact  for  the 
attention  of  the  scholars  of  our  da^',  that  to  such  a  lonely  spot  as 
this  must  necessarily  have  been  did  those  brave  and  hardy  bo3'S 
and  girls  daily  travel  to  and  fro,  making  w^hat  would  now^  be  called 
impractical)le  journeys,  so  far  as  distance  merely  is  concerned, 
and  along  the  most  difficult  trails  through  the  woods  besides,  — 
and  all  for  the  privilege  of  receiving  instruction  in  ' '  reading,  writ- 
ingr  and  reckonino; "  onlv  ! 

The  very  next  year  shows  the  most  commendable  advance  in 
this  direction  of  full  one  hundred  per  cent.,  the  inhabitants  in 
town-meeting  assembled  voting  that  the  school  be  kept  during  six 


88  HISTORY    OF   DOUGLAS. 

months  of  the  j-ear ;  and  a  committee,  consisting  of  Seth  Marshy 
Caleb  Hill  and  Samuel  Dudlej',  was  chosen  to  carry  out  this  Aote. 

In  1750  a  vote  is  recorded  "  to  sell  ye  school  lot  lying  b}-  ye 
meeting-house  to  ye  hiest  bider,  at  six  pounds  (old  tenor)  per 
acre  !"  The  onl^'  explanation  of  this  singularly- worded  vote  must 
be  that  the  auctioneer  was  enjoined  from  selling  the  property  at 
anj-thing  less  than  the  £G  per  acre.  But  however  the  fact  may 
have  been,  nothing  whatever  api)ears  on  the  record  indicative 
either  of  hostility  or  indifference  to  the  educational  plan  so  well 
initiated.  So  far  from  this,  it  was  voted  the  next  3'ear  after  this 
order  of  sale  that  "  ye  school  monev  be  invested." 

In  1752  a  vote  is  recorded  as  follows  : 

"  Voted,  To  have  a  reading  school  kept  six  months  in  ye  sev- 
eral parts  of  ye  town  ;  "  and  £2  2s.  8d.  were  appropriated  for  the 
support  of  the  same.  The  quer}'  presents  itself,  whether  this  st3'le 
of  school  Avas  not  on  the  principle  of  our  modern  spelling-schools, 
itinerating  from  one  house  to  another,  since  there  could  not  have 
been  at  this  date  the  requisite  number  of  school  buildings  "in  ye 
several  parts  of  _ye  town,"  in  which  to  hold  them.  School-houses 
were  erected,  however,  from  time  to  time  in  different  sections  of 
the  town,  as  the  necessities  of  the  people  required,  and  the  territory 
was  subsequently  divided  into  "  squares,"  or  "  school  districts," 
as  they  afterwards  came  to  be  designated.  The  town  also  voted 
this  same  year  (1752)  ''  not  to  sell  a  tract  of  land  given  by  ye 
proprietors  of  Shearbarn  for  ye  benefit  of  a  school."  In  1753  this 
vote  was  countermanded,  and  propositions  which  were  made,  to 
see  what  the  town  would  do  about  a  school,  were  passed  over. 

In  1754  were  gTanted  £6,  lawful  money,  for  the  support  of  a 
school,  and  the  Selectmen  were  authorized  to  determine  its  loca- 
tion. 

In  1757  there  were  £10  appropriated  "  for  ye  support  of  schools- 
to  be  set  up  in  five  parts  of  3'e  town." 

On  the  27th  of  October,  17G0,  at  a  town-meeting  held  in  the 
meeting-house,  Capt.  Caleb  Hill,  Capt.  David  White,  and  Jede- 
diah  Phipps  were  authorized  to  sign  a  warranty  deed  in  behalf  of 
the  town,  convej'ing  to  the  purchasers  the  school  land  that  had 
been  sold  by  auction.  At  the  same  time  Joseph  Balcome  made 
application  for  the  purchase  of  a  portion  of  the  meeting-house  lot 
lying  on  the  south  side  of  the  county  road.     The  terms  of  sale  hav- 


TOWN    ACTION    ON    EDUCATION.  89 

ing  been  agreed  upon,  a  committee  was  chosen  to  make  the  con- 
veyance. 

A  division  of  the  town  into  five  sections,  or  "  squadrons,"  took 
place  in  March,  1764,  for  the  double  purpose  of  estabUshing  per- 
manent schools  and  organizing  the  able-bodied  males  into  military 
companies.  In  each  of  these  sections  the  inhabitants  were  re- 
quired to  build  and  keep  in  repair  suitable  school-houses,  and  com- 
missions were  issued  to  suitable  persons  to  enroll,  equip  and  com- 
mand the  miUtia. 

In  1774  there  were  six  squadrons,  and  the  town  voted  the  sum 
of  £125  (old  tenor)  to  build  and  repair  the  school-houses  in  the 
several  squadrons.  A  committee  was  chosen  to  divide  the  monej^ 
according  to  the  valuation  of  each  squadron,  consisting  of  Caleb 
Whitnc}-,  AVm.  Dudle}",  and  Robert  Humes  for  the  1st  squadron ; 
John  Emerson,  Edward  Aldrich,  Joseph  Thayer,  Esq.,  2d  squad- 
ron ;  Benj.  WaUis,  Ezra  Whiting,  Jedediah  Bigelow,  3d  squadron  ; 
Caleb  Hill,  Isaac  Martin,  John  Brown,  4th  squadron  ;  Thomas  Ful- 
ler, Jeremiah  Whiting,  James  Hill,  5th  squadron  ;  Joshua  Fair- 
banks, Benj.  Walker,  Lovell  Pulsifer,  (ith  squadron. 

In  the  northeasterly  squadron,  now  known  as  District  No.  10, 
preparations  were  made  to  build  a  school-house,  Dea.  Jeremiah 
Whiting,  Thomas  Fuller  and  Jona.  Stockwell  being  a  committee 
to  provide  the  necessary  material.  A  new  house  was  also  built  in 
the  Center  squadron  (District  No.  1),  at  an  expense  of  £70  5s.  Id.^ 
a  substantial  brick  building  taking  the  place  of  the  old  one,  which 
was  sold  by  auction  to  Ezra  Whitney,  and  an  appropriation  was 
made  for  building  a  house  in  Caleb  Hill's  squadron,  now  the  East 
Village. 

The  cost  of  schooling  in  Douglas  between  the  years  1747  and 
1770  ranged  from  £2  to  £20  annually,  and  on  occasional  3'ears 
nothing  whatever  was  appropriated  for  this  purpose.  The  school 
lands  given  b}'  the  proprietors  of  Sherborn  and  Dr.  Wm.  Douglas 
Avere  sold  off  as  fast  as  purchasers  applied  for  them,  and  the  pro- 
ceeds of  such  sales  were  placed  upon  interest ;  and  in  17G3  the  in- 
terest accrued  was  sufficient,  with  the  addition  of  onl}^  £3,  to  com- 
fortably support  live  schools  in  as  many  different  parts  of  the  town. 
Jedediah  Phipps  was  one  of  those  who  located  on  the  school  land,, 
and  the  tract  purchased  by  him  brought  the  sum  of  £3  16s.,  which 
went  to  swell  the  proportions  of  the  school  fund. 


"90  ■^       HISTORY   OF    DOUGLAS. 

Nathaniel  Fry  Marsh  was  chosen  Town  Clerk  in  1782,  and  held 
the  office  for  a  number  of  succeeding  3'ears.  The  Selectmen 
chosen  at  the  same  time  were  Eliphas  Stearns,  Caleb  Whiting  and 
Jona.  Whii)ple.  Population  had  gradual!}'  but  slowl}-^  increased, 
and  as  families  became  more  numerous  more  attention  was  given 
to  school  matters.  Schools  multiplied 'all  over  the  town,  and  the 
money  raised  for  their  support  readied  as  high  as  £G0.  Frequent 
changes  were  made  in  the  boundaries  of  squadrons,  to  accommo- 
■date  this  or  that  family,  and  new  ones  were  established.  In  1782 
a  new  squadron  was  formed,  wliich  included  Joseph  Cummings, 
Samuel  Lee,  John  Fuller,  Comfort  Martin,  Jesse  Briggs,  Jonathan 
Stearns,  Epln-aim  Lee,  Jacob  Southwick,  David  Hay  ward,  Beza- 
leel  Gould,  Eleazer  Gould,  James  Hayward,  and  Eleazer  Gould,  Jr. 
Richard  Howell  and  Elijah  Moore  were  annexed  to  the  Center 
squadron,  and  a  number  of  persons  known  as  Friends,  were  set 
off  as  a  squadron  by  themselves. 

In  olden  times  school  districts  were  not  known  b}'  numbers,  as 
at  present.  We  have  given  in  a  previous  chapter  information 
concerning  all  the  districts,  including  tlie  names  by  which  the}' 
w^ere  commonly  designated,  but  these  names  were  modified  in  some 
<iases  by  subsequent  events.  When  the  forge  was  established  in 
East  Douglas,  District  No.  3  was  called  the  "Forge  District," 
and  at  the  same  time  No.  7  was  called  the  "•  East  Indies." 

The  amount  appropriated  for  schooling  in  1793  was  £40,  and  in 
the  following  year  £50.  The  amount  of  notes  in  the  treasury,  the 
interest  of  which  was  used  for  schooling,  was  £127  IGs.  -Od.  Paul 
Dudley  was  set  off  to  the  Center  district,  and  Eleazer  Gould  to 
the  Walker  district,  in  1794. 

The  interest  taken  by  the  people  of  Douglas  in  educational 
affairs,  between  the  3-ears  1790  and  1800,  and  the  measures  adopted 
for  the  support  of  public  schools,  may  be  learned  from  the  follow- 
ing summary  from  the  records  : 

In  November  of  the  first-mentioned  year  three  persons  were 
chosen  in  each  district  to  "  set  uj)  and  regulate  schools,"  and  no 
money  was  allowed  to  be  paid  out  of  the  treasuiy  for  school  pur- 
poses except  upon  their  order.  Previousl}^  the  Selectmen  had 
performed  the  duties  of  school  committee,  and  as  this  was  the  first 
experiment  of  the  town  in  appointing  conunittees  exclusively  for 
this  purpose,  we  give  the  names  of  the  gentlemen  chosen  : 


TOWN    ACTION   ON    EDUCATION.  91 

Center  District  —  Lieut.  Elijah  Moore,  Capt.  Caleb  Whiting, 
Capt.  Aaron  Benson. 

Squire  Whitney  District  —  Lieut.  Benj.  Wallis,  Jr.,  Ensign 
Benj.  Dudley,  Ezra  AVhitnc}',  Esq. 

Dea.  AVhiting  District  —  Aaron  Marsh,  David  Chase,  JohnBal- 
•come. 

Southwest  District — Joseph  Parker,  Abner  Yates,  Capt. 
Emerson. 

Capt.  Wallis  District —  Capt.  David  AVallis,  Paul  Dudley, 
Elijah  Smith. 

Moses  Hill  District  —  Lieut.  Nathaniel  Brown,  Ezra  Erench,  Job 
Knapp. 

Thayer  District  —  Thad.   Thayer,  John  Baker,  Jonah  Brown. 

Friend  District  —  Daniel  Aldrich,  David  Mowry,  Aaron  Aid- 
rich. 

New  District  —  Comfort  Lee,  Abel  Cummings.  Eleazer  Gould. 

Benj.  Walker  District  —  Benjamin  Walker.  Lieut.  John  Thayer, 
Lieut.  Samuel  Amidon. 

Various  persons  who  had  purchased  pews  in  the  meeting-house 
•gave  their  notes  to  the  town  in  payment  therefor,  and  these  notes 
were  apphed  to  the  benefit  of  schools.  Some  difficulty  in  collect- 
ing the  money  led  to  numerous  vexatious  lawsuits,  and  in  more 
than  one  instance  the  notes  were  surrendered,  and  the  ownership 
of  pew  property  restored  to  the  town,  thus  reducing  the  amount 
from  this  source  intended  for  the  support  of  schools.  This  was  by 
no  means  the  only  appropriation  for  this  purpose,  for  the  amount 
granted  annuall}-  in  addition  by  the  town  was  not  less  than  £40. 

In  March,  1791,  the  Whitney  and  Wallis  districts  were  united, 
retaining  the  boundaries  b}'  which  two  years  before  they  were  known 
iis  the  ••  South  Squadron,"  and  were  divided  by  ''Baiting  Pond 
Brook."  In  the  year  179!)  a  school-house  was  built  at  Wallum 
Pond  Llill,  by  Emer  Bowen,  at  an  expense  of  $135,  one  in  the 
Benj.  Walker  district,  at  an  expense  of  $167,  and  another  in  the 
New  District,  at  a  cost  of  $137. 


C  HAPTER    X 


CHUKCH    ORGANIZATIONS. 

X  the  nth  of  Novemlier,  1747,  Rev.  Wm.  Phipps 
(or  Phips,  as  it  was  often  written) ,  the  first  minister 
in  town,  was  ordained  and  installed  pastor  of  the 
Congregational  Church  at  Douglas,  and  at  the  same 
time  a  number  of  persons  from  Sutton  and  else- 
where united  with  the  Church.  The  meeting-house 
had  been  commenced  at  this  early  day,  and  was 
11  then  partially  finished,  but,  if  we  may  believe  the 
records,  it  was  not  full}'  completed  until  1789,  though  it  was 
probably  occupied  in  the  year  1748,  or  possibly'  earlier  than  this. 
It  is  almost  incredible  that  a  period  of  fortj'-two  years  should 
elapse  between  the  time  of  laying  the  foundation  stones  and  the 
completion  of  the  l)uilding.  But  we  must  not  forget  that  in  those 
days  of  log-houses  the  building  of  a  framed  meeting-house  was 
an  undertaking  of  no  small  magnitude.  And  it  is  an  interesting 
note  of  the  spirit  of  those  times  that  in  the  warrant  for  a  legal 
meeting  in  a  neighboring  town  which  contained  nine  articles,  seven 
of  them  had  reference  to  the  meeting-house. 

The  salary  allowed  to  the  minister  was  of  a  very  uncertain  char- 
acter, judging  from  the  following  entry  on  the  records  :  "  Ye  Des- 
trict  allowed  mr.  Phipp's  sallary  at  fourtin  shillings  per  bushel  for 
this  present  year."  Money  was  a  scarce  article  in  those  da^'s,  and 
in  its  stead  some  staple  product  of  the  town  was  used  to  repre- 
sent money,  its  value  being  always  determined  by  a  vote  of  the 
people.  Probal)l3^  the  greed  of  gain  was  as  strong  then  as  now, 
but  the  straightened  circumstances  of  the  great  body  of  the  peo- 
ple rendered  intolerable  any  such  thing  as  ' '  cornering  the  mar- 
ket."    Corn  was   generally'   adopted  as    currenc}-,  and   this   was 


.^^^Mf^^^-^^^-^^c^ 


C^^^'^n-^ 


Pt^-CO-y-^  i^ 


94      •  HISTORY    OP    DOUGLAS. 

probabh'  paid  to  the  minister,  a  bushel  representing  fourteen  shil- 
lings (old  tenor) .  It  was  also  decided,  at  the  same  time  of  adopt- 
ing this  standard  of  value,  "  to  come  into  some  metliord  of  glazing 
ye  meeting-house  and  laying  ye  flowers  and  dores,"  which  shows 
more  clearly  still  the  great  scarcity  of  mone}^  which  prevailed. 

Work  on  the  meeting-house  had  lagged  during  the  harvesting 
season,  but  now  it  was  decided  to  go  on  and  complete  the  edifice, 
and  considerable  energy  must  have  been  thrown  into  the  under- 
taking, for  in  1771  —  eleven  years  thereafter  —  the  plastering  wa»- 
done,  and  seats  were  put  into  the  gallery.  The  work  was  performed 
mostly  by  Caleb  Whitney,  for  which  he  received  the  sum  of  £12. 

At  the  annual  meeting,  March  9,  17G1,  Capt.  Caleb  Hill,  Ben- 
jamin Wallis,  Edward  Aldrich,  Wm.  Dudley,  and  Ezra  Whitney 
were  chosen  Selectmen,  and  Jedediah  Phipps  Town  Clerk.  Mr. 
riiipps'  successor  was  William  Dudley,  who  held  the  office  seven- 
teen consecutive  years. 

Heretofore  the  minister  had  been  engaged  for  a  term  of  seven 
3'ears  at  a  time,  l)ut,  owing  to  numerous  misunderstandings  in  re- 
lation to  the  salary,  the  plan  was  adopted  of  hiring  him  by  the 
year,  and  the  price  to  be  paid  for  preaching  the  gospel  was  deter- 
mined annuallj'.  An  attempt  was  made  to  reduce  the  amount  pre- 
viously allowed  Mr.  Phipps,  but  he  refused  to  submit  to  a  reduc- 
tion, for  the  reason  that  he  contemplated  the  offering  of  pecuniary 
assistance  to  his  need}-  neighbors,  and  this  he  could  not  do  if  his 
income  was  reduced.  As  this  fact  became  more  fully  known  it  is 
quite  to  the  credit  of  the  citizens  that  the  record  goes  on  to  state 
that  the  whole  amount  of  his  former  salary  (£53  6s.  9d.)  was  made 
up  to  him,  and  he  renounced  the  intention  of  severing  his  connec- 
tion with  the  parish,  which  it  seems  he  had  cherished.  A  similar 
sum  was  granted  for  his  support  each  3'ear,  until,  in  the  spring  of 
1765,  a  reduction  was  again  made.  Mr.  Phipps  now  renewed  his 
previousl}-  expressed  determination,  and  informed  his  parishioners- 
that,  unless  the  vote  to  reduce  his  salary  was.  reconsidered,  he 
desired  to  terminate  his  enoagement  with  the  town.  He  also  de- 
manded,  if  dismissed,  that  a  sufficient  sum  should  be  granted  to 
recompense  him  for  the  expense  and  trouble  of  moAing  from  the 
place,  and  for  the  dela}'  which  would  ensue  in  his  procuring  a  new 
settlement.  Accordingly,  on  the  17th  of  June,  it  was  ordained 
that  the  relation  between  Mr.  Phipps  as  pastor,  and  the  district  of 


CHURCH    ORGANIZATIONS.  95- 

Douglas  as  a  people,  should  be  dissolved,  and  £60  were  allowed  to 
meet  his  demand  for  damages. 

There  were  a  number  of  persons  in  town  who  professed  the 
faith  of  the  Baptists,  and  who  naturall}'  objected  to  being  taxed 
for  the  support  of  Congregational  preaching.  For  several  3'ears 
they  had  submitted  to  the  tax  under  protest,  but  by  continually 
agitating  their  grievances  in  town-meeting  they  secured  the  desired 
exemption  in  1770,  and  were  permitted  to  contribute  of  their 
means  for  the  support  of  such  denominational  religion  as  their 
consciences  approved.  Their  final  success  encouraged  a  number 
of  professed  Quakers  to  make  a  like  demand,  and  in  1771  the  era 
of  religious  freedom  began.  The  minister  tax  was  not,  however, 
abolished,  but  only  IcA'ied  upon  those  who  acknowledged  adherence 
to  none  other  than  Congregational  doctrines. 

The  money  raised  from  the  sale  of  pews  in  the  meeting-house 
had  been  placed  in  a  bank,  with  the  intention  of  using  it  to  keep 
the  building  in  repair,  but  when  it  was  proposed  to  use  a  portion 
of  it  to  pay  the  expense  of  new  shingles  and  clapboards  the  town 
refused  to  consent,  and  appropriated  the  whole  amount,  something 
over  £85,  for  the  support  of  schools.  It  was  decided,  however? 
that  money  due  from  pew-holders  might  be  used  for  repairing  the 
house,  and  subsequently  the  town  made  a  small  additional  grant. 

Judging  from  the  facts  presented,  entire  harmony  did  not  pre- 
vail in  the  parish  at  this  time,  and  the  people  seem  to  have  been 
about  evenly  divided  between  adherence  and  opposition  to  the 
Church.  The  trouble  continued  during  and  bej'ond  the  ministry 
of  Mr.  Phipps,  who  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  Isaac  Stone,  and  one 
of  the  items  first  appearing  during  Mr.  Stone's  pastorate  is  this  : 
"  The  friends  of  the  pastor,  Rev.  Mr.  Stone,  succeeded  in  securing 
the  passage  of  a  vote  increasing  his  salary  to  £90,  but  the  oppo- 
nents rallied  and  reduced  it  to  £60  at  the  first  opportunity." 

Owing  to  the  ditllculty  experienced  by  Rev.  Mr.  Stone  in  col- 
lecting his  salary,  in  March,  1789,  he  asked  for  a  dismissal  from 
the  pastorate,  which  the  town  at  that  time  did  not  see  fit  to  grant. 
Notwithstanding  the  dehnquency  of  the  people  in  meeting  their 
obhgations,  a  strong  bond  of  sympathy-  and  affection  existed  be- 
tween many  of  them  and  their  pastor.  There  were  some,  however, 
who  did  not  attempt  to  conceal  their  hostility  to  him,  and  whether 
this  dislike  was  based  upon  reasonable  cause  must  be  determined 


96  HISTORY   OP   DOUGLAS. 

by  what  followed.  It  was  decided  to  choose  a  committee  to  wait 
upon  Mr.  Stone  to  hear  his  reasons  for  urging  a  dismissal.  The 
amount  due  him  on  account  of  salary  was  £325,  besides  £1  5s.  for 
boarding  the  schoolmaster  ;  and  to  recover  this  sum  suits  had  been 
brought  against  the  town.  When  the  case  came  up  for  trial  the 
town  allowed  a  default,  and  consented  to  pay  all  costs,  upon  con- 
dition that  no  further  action  should  be  taken.  Mr.  Stone  con- 
sented to  this  arrangement,  with  a  stipulation  that  the  money 
should  be  paid  him  by  the  1st  of  Se[)tember  following. 

Ver}-  naturally  the  minister  was  anxious  that  some  means  might 
be  adopted  that  would  prevent  this  quarreling  about  his  salary,  and 
at  the  same  time  secure  to  him  reasonable  compensation  for  his 
services.  Consequently,  when  the  committee  chosen  by  the  town 
called  upon  him  he  submitted  to  them  the  following  proposition  as 
to  the  manner  in  which  his  future  salary  might  be  provided  for  : 

To  the  good  people  of  Douglas : 

Gentlemen  :  I  inform  j'ou  by  your  committee  that  if  yon  think 
proper  to  continue  me  here  in  the  ministry  for  a  while  longer,  and 
it  should  be  agreeable  to  you  to  purchase  the  Mr.  Whiting  place 
adjoining  to  my  land,  south  of  the  great  road,  and  give  me  a  good 
deed  of  the  same,  I  am  willing  utterly  to  relinquish  salary  grants 
after  coming  into  possession  of  said  land  and  building  thereon. 
In  this  proposal  I  expect  my  salary  to  continue  until  I  come  into 
possession  of  said  land  and  building  thereon,  if  I  continue  to  serve 
as  minister  of  the  town  ;  and,  upon  coming  into  possession  in  full 
of  said  land  and  building,  I  will  fully  discharge  the  town  of  Douglas 
from  making  any  more  salary  grants  in  consideration  of  future 
services  as  my  support  as  the  minister.  If  I  should  not  continue 
in  the  ministry  here  ten  years  from  the  time  of  my  coming  into 
possession  of  said  premises,  I  hereby  bind  myself  to  give  back  of 
the  sum  the  land  costs  in  proportion  to  the  time  lacking  of  ten 
years  from  the  time  I  come  into  possession.  Further,  I  shall  con- 
sider myself  under  equal  obligation  to  do  all  the  duties  of  a  minister 
until  I  am  regularly  dismissed,  as  if  I  had  an  annual  salary, 
agreeable  to  the  original  contract.  I  shall  not  expect  any  timber 
or  wood  shall  be  cut,  but  the  premises  shall  remain  as  they  now 

are.     This  from  your  friend  and  humble  servant, 

Isaac  Stone. 

N.  B.  —  Considering  all  circumstances,  I  feel  willing  to  be  reg- 


CHURCH    ORGANIZATIONS.  97 

ularl)'  dismissed  if  3'ou  think  best.     I  do  not  mean  to  be  strenu- 
ous to  sta}'  \Nith  you  or  go  from  you.     Yours  affectionately, 

Isaac  Stone. 

The  terms  of  this  proposition  seemed  to  be  in  ever}-  way  satis- 
factorj-,  and,  after  the  matter  had  been  considered  in  town-meeting, 
steps  were  taken  to  secure  the  property  mentioned  by  purchase. 
Three  gentlemen,  one  each  from  I'xbridge,  Sutton  and  Oxford, 
were  chosen  appraisers,  and  named  a  price  which  Mi-.  Whiting 
refused  to  accept.  Tlie  sum  asked  was  £1.32,  but  it  was  finall}' 
agreed  to. 

Mr.  Stone  took  possession  of  this  place  on  the  1st  of  April, 
1792,  ajid  gave  the  use  of  it  to  his  son  Moses.  After  the  title 
was  properl}'  transferred  he  executed  a  bond  releasing  the  town 
from  any  future  salary  gi'ants,  notwithstanding  which  he  was. 
allowed  £85  that  very  year,  a  larger  sum  than  ever  before,  and 
we  do  not  learn  that  his  salary  was  wholly  discontinued  at  any  time 
during  his  ministry.  The  settlement  effected  was  a  signal  for 
many  of  the  inhabitants  to  petition  for  an  abatement  of  their  min- 
ister rates,  which  in  most  cases  was  granted.  In  1805  Rev.  Isaac 
Stone  was  involved  in  new  difficulties.  He  again  asked  for  a  dis- 
missal, because  people  were  dissatisfied  with  him,  and,  as  he  said, 
*'0n  me  at  this  time  hangs  the  displeasure  of  many,  and  no  pros- 
pect remains  that  I  can  ever  be  useful  to  the  town."  The  final 
disposition  of  his  case  will  appear  in  its  proper  order  in  the  follow- 
ing concise  history  of  the  societ}',  furnished  us  by  Rev.  Mr.  Dow, 
the  present  pastor : 

THE    FIRST    CONGREGATIONAL    CHURCH. 

This  church  was  formed  Nov.  11,  1747,  with  twent^'-three 
members.  The  first  house  of  worship  was  erected  in  the  middle 
of  the  town,  ver}'  near  where  the  present  Church  edifice  stands,  and 
was  dedicated  in  1748.  Mr.  William  Phipps,  a  native  of  Sher- 
born  and  a  graduate  of  Harvard  Universit}^  was  ordained  the 
first  pastor,  Dec.  16,  1747,  and  continued  in  office  until  July  10, 
1765.  Those  were  times  of  controversy,  resulting  in  divisions. 
During  his  pastorate  new  settlers  came  into  the  town,  and  fort}-- 
seven  were  added  to  the  Church.  There  were  205  baptisms.  Tra- 
dition represents  him  as  a  faithful  minister,  though  ardent  in  the 
7 


^c 


■^r 


CHURCH    ORGANIZATIONS.  99 

controversial  spirit  of  the  times.     He  was  of  \igorous  mind,   and 
patriotic  on  tiie  public  questions  which  agitated  the  colonies. 

After  the  dismission  of  Rev.  Mr.  Phipps  the  people  were  with- 
out a  pastor  for  six  years,  having,  however,  invited  four  to  their 
pastorate,  who  declined,  evidently  on  account  of  existing  dissen- 
sions, common  at  the  time. 

Mr.  Isaac  Stone  was  ordained  the  next  pastor,  Oct.  30,  1771. 
He  was  a  native  of  Shrewsburj'  and  a  graduate  of  Harvard  Uni- 
versit}-.  These  were  indeed  troublous  times  in  Church  and  State  — 
times  that  "tried  men's  souls."  Dissensions  and  divisions  be- 
came more  bitter ;  yet  better  days  evidently  came  afterward  iu 
Rev.  Mr.  Stone's  long  pastorate  of  thirty-four  years.  During  his 
ministry'  sixty  were  added  to  the  Church,  and  there  were  21 F)  bap- 
tisms. He  continued  to  reside  in  town  several  j'ears  after  his  dis- 
mission, and  then  removed  to  Oxford,  where  he  died. 

Mr.  David  Holman,  a  native  of  Sutton  and  a  graduate  of 
Brown  University,  was  ordained  pastor  by  a  council  that  met  Oct. 
18,  1808,  continuing  in  session  two  days.  He  studied  theology 
with  Rev.  Dr.  P^mmons,  of  Franklin.  Dr.  Emmons  was  modera- 
tor of  the  installing  council,  and  addressed  the  charge  to  the  can- 
didate. On  account  of  the  causes  just  referred  to,  the  Church  had 
become  much  reduced,  so  that  there  were  only  twenty-seven  mem- 
bers when  Mr.  Holman  became  pastor.  His  pastorate  continued 
thirty-four  years,  during  which  226  were  added  to  the  Church,  and 
there  were  3G0  baptisms.  These  facts  are  stated  in  his  farewell 
sermon.  There  were  seven  seasons  of  marked  revival  interest, 
besides  many  tokens  of  the  renewing  presence  of  the  Divine  Spirit 
in  intervening  times.  Yet  many  changes  occurred,  among  them  the 
formation  of  the  Church  in  the  East  Village  in  1834,  which  greatly 
reduced  the  old  First  Church,  so  that  when  Rev.  Mr.  Holman 
closed  his  pastorate  the  number  of  members  was  reduced  to  102, 
and  one-third  of  these  were  non-resident.  The  present  house  of 
worship  was  erected  in  1834.  During  this  long  pastorate  there 
were  many  years  in  which  this  Church  was  one  of  the  largest  and 
most  influential  in  the  conference.  But  the  Church  was  now  de- 
clining in  material  strength.  The  population  were  continually 
leax-ing  for  the  manufacturing  districts  around,  to  the  depression 
of  those  who  remained,  and  there  was  unhappiness  in  the  society 
connected  with  the  dismission  of  Rev.  Mr.  Holman. 


CHURCH    ORGANIZATIONS.  101 

111  1843  Rev.  .lolm  W.  Salter  became  pastor.  During  his  pas- 
torate the  present  i)arsonago  was  erected.  Becoming  discouraged, 
he  continued  only  three  years.  The  council  that  dismissed  liiiu 
bore  witness  to  their  ''  undiminished  estimation  of  his  Christian 
and  ministerial  character,"  and  commended  him  to  the  Churches. 

Rev.  Mr.  Ilolman  continued  to  reside  in  the  parish,  and  for  a 
long  time  labored  as  pastor  when  the  Church  was  destitute.  He  was 
revered  in  the  community,  retained  an  active  interest  in  the  Church 
to  the  close  of  life,  and  had  a  wide  influence  in  the  Churches  of  the 
conference.  He  died  at  his  home,  Nov.  K),  IHOG,  at  the  age  of 
eighty-nine  years,  and  rests  among  his  peo})le. 

Rev.  Crilbert  B.  Richardson  became  pastor  in  1857.  and  contin- 
ued in  ottlce  only  three  years.  He  was  much  esteemed  by  the  peo- 
ple, and  the  council  that  dismissed  him  expressed  deep  regret  that 
causes  should  exist  to  make  his  labors  so  brief. 

Ill  recent  years  Rev.  John  D.  Smith,  Rev.  Francis  Dyer,  Rev. 
Amos  Holbrook,  Rev.  J.  W.  C.  Pike  and  others  have  labored 
with  the  people  for  brief  periods.  But  by  the  frequent  changes 
and  removals  of  the  population  the  society  has  been  much  reduced. 
Yet  there  have  been  many  tokens  of  good  during  these  years,  and 
individual  additions  to  the  Church.  The  present  pastor  is  R6v. 
W.  W.  Dow.  The  society  has  shown  a  good  degree  of  persever- 
ance, although  it  has  had  to  give  up  much  of  its  choicest  strength 
to  build  up  other  communities  elsewhere. 

THE    SECOND    CONGREGATIONAL    CHURCH    IN    EAST    DOUCiLAS. 

This  Church  is  an  outgrowth  of  the  First  Church  in  Douglas. 
Increase  of  business  and  population  in  this  village  made  it  a  neces- 
sity. For  years  the  village  poi)ulatioii  worshipped  in  the  old 
church,  and  not  until  the  daughter  had  fairly  outgrown  the  mother 
was  she  willing  to  acknowledge  her  independence  through  a  sepa- 
rate organization.  On  the  12th  of  .June,  1834,  an  ecclesiastical 
council  was  convened  to  consider  the  expediency  of  this,  and  the 
council  unanimously  gave  the  measure  their  approval.  A  com- 
mittee of  three  was  appointed,  consisting  of  Rev.  Dr.  Dow  of 
Thompson,  Ct.,  Rev.  Messrs.  Maltby  of  Sutton,  and  CTi-osvenor  of 
Uxbridge,  under  whose  direction  the  petitioners,  twent^'-uine  in 
number,  were  organized  into  a  Congregational  Church. 


102  HISTORY    OF    DOUGLAS. 

Tlie  names  of  the  tweuty-nine  origiual  members  are  as  follows  : 

Micah  Hill,  Oliver  Iluiit,  Jr.,  Phebe  Hunt, 

Warren  Hunt,  Leander  B.  Hunt,  Judson  Balcome, 

Zelik  Darling,  Jr.,  Lydia  Hill,  Betsy  Hunt, 

Luther  Stone,  Aaron  M.  Hill,  Sophronia  Stone, 

8ally  Hill,  Sally  Stone,  Betsey  Reynolds, 

Sarah  Ann  Darling,  Philinda  Whipple,  John  B.  Hunt, 

Diadenia  Stone,  Emeline  Sprague,  Nabby  Lee, 

Moses  Hill,  Mary  Hill,  Louisa  Lee, 

Otis  W.  Hunt,  Azubah  Craggin,  Eoyal  Keith. 

Anderson  Hunt,  Harriet  N.  Hunt, 

The  sacrament  of  the  Lord's  Supper  was  first  administered  in 
the  new  church  on  the  3d  of  August  following,  by  Rev.  Luke 
Wood,  a  temporary  supply. 

The  infant  Church  grew  and  waxed  strong.  Born  with  much 
pra3'er,  the  sacrifices  incident  to  its  earh'  growth  were  cheerfully 
made  by  those  without  whose  deep  interest  the  enterprise  could 
hardly  have  been  a  success.  Soon  after  the  Church  was  organized 
a  new  house  of  worship  was  completed  and  dedicated,  and  subse- 
quentl}'.  on  the  14thof  Januar}',  1885,  the  Church  extended  a  unan- 
imous call  to  the  Rev.  John  Boardman,  late  of  West  Bo^dston,  to 
become  their  pastor.  Mr.  Boardman  accepted  the  call,  and  was 
installed  over  the  Church  on  the  25th  of  the  following  month.  He 
continued  in  office  till  Nov.  8th,  1841,  when  he  rested  from  his 
labors. 

Mr.  Boardman  was  a  man  of  large  heart  and  strong  social 
feelings,  whose  intercourse  with  his  people  was  both  pleasant  and 
profitable.  He  was  noted  for  insisting  upon  exact  order  and 
decorum,  and  was  well  fitted  to  mould  his  people  to  the  best  habits 
in  these  respects.  Strongly  evangelical,  if  he  was  not  a  close 
student,  or  what  might  be  called  an  eloquent  preacher,  his  sermons, 
as  a  ministerial  father  once  said,  contained  so  much  of  goodness 
that  it  was  good  to  hear  them.  Beloved  as  a  pastor,  his  death  in 
the  strength  of  his  manhood  was  long  and  sincerely  mourned  by 
his  people. 

During  his  ministry  of  six  years  and  eight  months  there  was  no 
general  revival,  and  yet  he  did  not  fail  to  see  additions  to  his 
little  band  of  Church-members,  fourteen  being  admitted  to  the 
Church  by  profession  and  thirty-seven  by  letter.  I  lis  last  utter- 
ance was  an  earnest   praj-er  for   his  people.     That   i)rayer   was 


SECOXD   CONGREGATION AI,   CHUKCH,    EAST   DOUGLA8. 


104  HISTORY   OF    DOUGLAS. 

answered.  A  general  and  powerful  revival  of  religion  foUuweil 
his  death  almost  immediately.  Neighboring  ministers  lent  their 
aid,  of  whom  special  mention  shonld  he  made  of  Rev.  Mr.  Tracy 
of  Sntton.  As  the  frnit  of  this  revival,  sevent^'-five  were  added 
to  the  Church  by  i)rofession. 

While  this  work  was  in  progress  Ilev.  Channcy  D.  Rice  com- 
menced his  labors,  and  was  installed  as  pastor  on  the  7th  of  the 
following  December.  It  was  the  privilege  of  Mr.  Rice,  and  a 
privilege  greatly  prized  by  him,  to  laljor  liere  during  part  of  the 
revival,  and  gather  and  enjoy  the  abundant  harvest.  At  the  close- 
of  the  ingathering  the  Chnrcli  numbered  one  hundred  and  fifty 
members  —  aljont  twice  its  number  previous  to  the  revival.  Mr, 
Rice  continued  pastor  of  the  Church  until  December  7th,  1851, 
when,  owing  to  impaired  health,  he  was  dismissed.  Although 
there  was  no  general  revival  of  religion  during  his  ministry-  here, 
there  were  seasons  of  limited  quickening,  some  conversions,  and 
additions  to  the  Church. 

On  the  (Jth  of  April,  1852,  the  Church  unanimously  invited  Rev. 
Joshua  L.  Maynard  of  Cornw^all,  Conn.,  to  become  its  pastor, 
and  he  was  installed  the  7th  of  July  following.  At  that  time  the- 
Church  had  suffered  considerable  depletion  l)^'  deaths  and  remo^-als, 
having  but  little  more  than  one  hundred  and  twenty  members. 
From  that  date,  though  externally  prosperous,  the  Church  received 
few  additions  until  1854,  when  in  one  year  there  was  a  net  in- 
crease of  twenty.  From  this  time  until  1858  the  accessions  were 
very  few,  although  there  were  seasons  of  some  awakening,  and 
the  house  of  worship  was  enlarged  and  imj^roved.  The  spring  of 
1858  was  the  couniiencement  of  a  revival  of  considerable  power. 
As  the  fruit  of  it,  more  than  fifty  were  received  into  the  Church  on 
profession. 

Mr.  Maynard  was  dismissed  Marcli  8.  18()4,  after  a  pastorate 
of  more  than  eleven  years,  having  rec^eived  a  call  from  the  Con- 
gregational Church  in  Plainfield,  Conn.  Laboring  in  this  place  until 
November,  18(54,  he  went  to  Wilhston,  Vt.,  remaining  there  nearly 
nine  j'ears  —  a  portion  of  the  time  pastor  of  two  Churches,  when 
he  was  called  suddenly  to  his  reward.  His  more  than  thirty  years 
of  ministerial  life  have  been  no  small  contribution  to  the  cause 
which  lay  near  his  heart.  He  loved  his  work,  and  devoted  himself 
to  it  with  rare  singleness  of  aim,  taking  a  deep  interest  in  all  mat- 


CHURCH    ORGANIZATIONS.  105 

ters  of  public  concern,  especially  those  relating  to  temperance  and 
education.  Careful  in  his  preparations  for  the  pulpit,  laborious 
and  faithful,  his  ministerial  life  could  hardly  be  otherwise  than 
successful.  He  died  with  the  harness  of  Christian  service  on,  in 
.the  midst  of  usefulness,  and  is  affectionately  remembered. 

Succeeding  him.  Rev.  S.  M.  Plympton  was  engaged  for  one 
year  as  acting  pastor,  devoting  himself  with  rare  zeal  to  the 
interests  of  Christ  and  the  Church,  and  gaining  many  friends  by  his 
genial  spirit.  He,  too,  laid  aside  the  armor  in  the  midst  of  his  days, 
in  the  midst  of  usefulness  summoned  to  the  higher  work  and 
service  of  heaven. 

March  21,  l.siw;,  Rev.  William  T.  Briggs  was  installed,  the 
Church  and  society  having  extended  an  unanimous  invitation  to 
him  to  become  their  pastor.  During  this  pastorate  of  more  than 
twelve  3'ears,  and  still  unbroken,  one  hundred  and  fifty-three  have 
been  added  to  the  Church,  and  one  hundred  and  sixteen  by  profes- 
sion —  an  average  of  nearly  thirteen  each  year.  At  the  present 
time  the  Church  munbers  two  hundred  and  thirty-two  members. 
The  two  years  of  largest  accessions  were  in  18(56  (when  forty-one 
united  with  the  Church  — thirt3'-six  by  profession,  five  b}-  letter) 
and  in  1877  (when  thirty-six  united  —  twenty-nine  by  profession 
and  seven  bj'Jetter).  In  1872  the  meeting-house  was  partiall}'- 
remodeled —  an  alcove  opened  in  the  rear  of  the  jDulpit,  and  a  fine 
organ  purchased  and  placed  therein,  making  it  one  of  the  most 
attractive  houses  of  worship  in  the  vicinit}'.  During  this  pastorate 
of  twelve  years  every  Church  composing  the  conference  has  been 
deprived  of  its  pastor,  in  more  than  half  a  change  has  twice 
occurred,  and  in  a  few  instances  three  times. 

At  this  date  the  Church  is  well-nigh  a  unit  on  the  temperance 
question,  nearly  every  member  having  signed  the  total  abstinence 
pledge.  For  twelve  years  it  has  been  free  from  debt,  and  intends 
to  remain  so,  believing  it  wiser  not  to  incur  a  debt  than  to  lift  one. 
Within  three  years  the  Church  has  prepared  and  published  a  new 
manual,  retaining  the  old  confession  for  substance,  and  adding  to- 
the  essential  articles  of  faith  an  elaborate  statement  of  evangelical 
doctrine. 

Although  time  has  wrought  great  changes,  and  many  pillars  in 
Church  and  society  have  fallen,  3-et  it  may  be  no  exaggeration  to 
state  that  neither  Church  nor  society  were  ever  more  united  and 


106 


HISTORY   OF    DOUGLAS. 


prosperous  tlian  at  present.     We  see  not  why  the  future  of  both 
may  not  be  as  the  past  —  3'ea,  and  much  more  abundant. 


REFORMED    METHODIST    CHURCH 


SOUTH    DOUGLAS. 


In  the  year  1808  a  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  was  formed  at 
South  Douglas,  and  the  Church  edifice  now  standing  was  built. 
Elder  Pline^^  Brett,  the  first  pastor,  continued  until  181"),  when  he 


IIIIIIIIIIIIIUlilUllllilUlIlll.llllUIIUUIIUIIillllL 
INTERIOB  OF   OLD   REFORMED   METHODIST  CHURCH  —  SOUTH   DOUGLAS. 

withdrew  from  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and  effected  a  new 
organization,  under  the  name  of  Reformed  Methodists.  Twenty- 
five  members  of  his  Church  united  with  him  in  the  formation  of 
the  new  organization,  of  which  Mrs.  Nancy  Yates,  wife  of  Elder 
Yates,  is  the  last  surviving  member.  Others  shortly  followed  Mr. 
Brett,  who  continued  but  a  short  time  in  the  pastorate  after  the 
formation  of  the  new  Church.  Having  placed  himself  at  the  head 
of  the  new  movement,  he  went  about  preaching  and  forming  new 
societies.  He  was  quite  successful  in  securing  followers.  Several 
local  preachers  and  others  united  with  him  in  the  formation  of 


JJEFORMKD   METHODIST   CIIUKCH,    EAST   DOUGI.A.S. 


108  HISTORY   OF    DOUGLAS. 

Churches  under  Uk;  new  name,  until  on  Cape  Cod  and  through  the 
State  of  Vermont  the  membership  reached  a])out  2,000. 

Elder  Yates  was  his  successor,  and  contimied  for  man}'  years  its- 
devoted  pastor,  until  unable  to  continue  his  labors  longer  on  ac- 
count of  the  iniirmities  of  age.  Since  that  time  there  has  been 
no  settled  minister.  Elder  Pierce  supplied  for  a  few  years.  Since 
about  the  year  1850  the  meetings  have  l)een  conducted  by  Eldei* 
Harvey  AVakefield,  Elder  Parley  Brown,  and  others.  The  meet- 
ing-house l)ecoming  old  and  unfit  for  use,  meetings  were  held  in 
the  hall  at  the  AN'm.  Jefferson  house,  so-called.  These  were  kept 
up  for  i\ye  years,  and  were  discontinued  in  .1870.  During  this 
time  Elder  Wakefield  officiated.  It  was  afterwards  considered  as- 
a  kind  of  out-station  to  the  Church  at  Douglas  Center. 

REFORMED    JIETHODIST    CHURCH    IX    EA.'^T    DOUGLAS. 

This  Church  was  organized  about  the  year  1844,  with  a  small 
membership,  and  a  house  of  worship  was  built  in  1845,  on  land 
donated  hy  Nahum  Legg.  Solomon  P.  Snow  was  in  that  3'ear 
ordained  as  the  first  pastor.  He  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  Wm.  C. 
Clark,  and  in  turn  was  followed  bj^  Rev.  Mr.  Greelej',  who  sup- 
plied the  pulpit  for  several  months.  W.  D.  Jones  then  became 
the  i)astor,  and  was  followed  by  David  Mason,  S.  E.  Pike,  Geo. 
G.  Perkins,  and  S.  Leader.  During  Mr.  L.'s  ministry  the  parson- 
age was  built.  S.  E.  Pike  and  Deacon  White  then  supplied  the 
pulpit  for  several  months,  until  R.  S.  Cobb  came.  Rev.  W.  Wil- 
kie  was  their  last  minister. 

Prior  to  the  formation  of  this  Church  quite  a  number  of  persons 
in  Douglas  l>elonged  to  the  Reformed  Methodist  Church  in  Mill- 
ville,  forming  what  was  termed  a  "class."  Meetings  were  held  b}' 
theni  at  the  school-house  in  District  No.  3,  Parley  Brown,  Amos 
Yates,  Harvey  Wakefield,  William  Stone  and  othei's  conducting 
the  services. 

On  the  10th  of  March,  186G,  it  was  voted  to  change  the  name 
of  the  Church  to  that  of  Wesleyan  3Iethodist,  b}'  the  Discipline  of 
which  Church  the  members  were  governed  (as  we  believe  the}'  had 
been)  until  the}'  were  merged  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 
Rev.  ]\Ir.  Wilkie,  alluded  to  above,  had  been  the  regularly  ap- 
l)ointed  Wesleyan  pastor  in  P^ast  Douglas  since  April  2,  18()4. 
Though  the  Church  at  this  time  was  nominally  of  the  Reformed 
Methodist  denomination,  it  had  been  virtually  a  Wesleyan  body 


METHODIST  CHUKCH,   EAST  DOUGLAS. 


110  HISTORY    OF    DOUGLAS. 

for  some  time.  Ilavino;  been  organized  under  the  general  stat- 
utes, however,  the  legal  distinction  between  the  Church  and  so- 
ciety had  been  kept  up.  In  the  year  1866,  under  Mr.  Williie'^ 
labors,  quite  an  extensive  revival  of  religion  occurred,  resulting  in 
the  conversion  of  more  than  sixty  persons,  over  thirty  of  whom 
united  with  the  Church.  Mr.  AVilkie  had  formerly'  been  identified 
with  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  having  left  that  body  in 
184:;3,  on  account  of  its  connection  with  slavery.  But,  now  that 
sla\ery  was  no  longer  in  the  Church  or  nation,  he  felt  that  he  ought 
to  return  to  his  old  home,  the  Church  of  his  earl}'  choice.  This  he 
finally  determined  to  do,  aiKl  most  of  the  members  of  his  Church 
in  East  Douglas  followed  him.  They  met  with  some  opposition 
from  a  few  of  the  old  members,  who  went  so  far  as  to  close  the 
door  of  the  meeting-house  against  him.  Tliey  opened  it  by  force, 
•however,  and  occupied  it  on  the  Sabbath,  and  then  in  due  form 
appealed  to  the  courts  for  protection  ;  and  at  the  ensuing  session 
of  the  Supreme  Judicial  Court  an  injunction  was  obtained  for  a 
few  days,  nntil  the  merits  of  the  case  could  be  reached,  when  the 
injunction  was  made  perpetual.  The  case  is  fulh'  detailed  in  the 
Massachusetts  Reports,  vol.  95,  p.  34L). 

On  the  5th  of  November,  1866,  Rev.  D.  Dorchester,  Presiding 
J^lder  of  the  Worcester  District  of  the  New  England  Annual  Con- 
ference of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  by  request,  came  to 
East  Douglas  and  organized  the  memliers  of  the  Wesleyan  Church 
into  a  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  which  constituted  at  this  time 
a  membership  of  eight3'-four  persons,  seventy-seven  of  them  being 
from  the  Wesleyan  Church,  thus  after  the  lapse  of  sixtj'-three  years 
reviving  the  Church  which  Elder  Brett  carried  into  the  Reformed 
Methodist  ranks.  Since  April,  1867,  the  Church  has  been  regu- 
larl}^  supplied  Avith  ministers  from  the  New  England  Conference  of 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

Rev.  Mr.  Wilkie  was  followed  by  Revs.  AViUiam  P.  Blackmer, 
WilUam  Silverthorn  and  Daniel  P.  Atkins,  and  under  the  admin- 
istration of  the  latter  a  new  and  commodious  Church  edifice  was 
erected  in  the  center  of  the  village.  This  was  accomplished  in 
1872,  and  the  work  it  involved  was  done  under  Mr.  Atkins'  per- 
sonal supervision,  and  mainly  through  his  active  labors.  He  was 
succeeded  by  Rev.  WilUam  M.  Hubl)ard,  who  was  followed  by 
Rev.  William  D.  Bridge.  Rev.  J.  J.  Woodbury,  the  present  pastor,, 
following  him. 


CATHOLIC   CHURCH,    EAST   DOUGLAS. 


112  HISTORY   OF   DOUGLAS. 

QUAKER  CHURCH,    SOUTH    DOUGLAS. 

No  records  of  the  formation  of  the  old  Quaker  Church  society 
of  Douglas  can  be  found.  Either  its  members  did  not  care  to 
have  their  doings  inspected  by  succeeding  generations,  or  the 
minutes  of  them  have  been  lost.  The  meeting-house  was  long 
ago  removed  from  its  original  site,  near  the  Quaker  burying-ground, 
and  used  for  other  purposes.  It  occasioned  the  dwellers  ai'ound 
about  some  uneasiness  for  a  considerable  while  before  it  was  re- 
moved. At  various  times  it  was  reported,  by  persons  who  hap- 
pened to  pass  the  building  under  the  influence  of  spirits  within, 
that  the  old  church  was  haunted  by  spirits  from  without — occu- 
pants of  the  adjoining  grave-yard.  BeUevers  in  ghosts  came  from 
all  parts  of  the  country  for  twenty  miles  around,  and  —  found  it 
even  so.  Sometimes  a  hundred  half-frightened  people  would 
congregate  there  to  watch  the  dim  forms  flitting  b}^  the  windows, 
and  to  listen  to  the  sepulchral  conversation.  It  turned  out, 
however,  that  during  a  certain  part  of  the  day  the  hght,  falUng 
upon  the  imperfect  window-panes,  was  the  author  of  the  mj'stic 
forms,  and  that  human  imaginations  originated  the  ghostly  talk. 
Thus  was  one  more  good  story  spoiled,  but  not  before  a  nation  of 
fools  had  been  born  in  a  day. 

CATHOLIC    CHUKCH,    EAST    DOUGLAS. 

In  the  spring  of  18G5  the  CathoHc  residents  of  Douglas  and 
Manchaug  purchased  the  neat  and  commodious  building  on 
Manchaug  street,  which  they  now  occupy  as  a  place  of  worship. 
For  more  than  twenty  years  pre^'ious  to  that  time  their  meet- 
ings were  held  in  the  Whitin  Tavern  Hall,  and  were  presided  over 
by  Father  Sheridan,  whose  field  of  labor  also  included  Uxbridge, 
Blackstone  and  Rockdale.  His  successor.  Rev.  Dennis  A.  O'Keefe 
(since  deceased),  was  active  in  securing  the  present  place  of  wor- 
ship, and  remained  some  time  after  its  dedication.  At  first  the 
meetings  were  held  but  once  in  three  months,  afterwards  once  a 
month,  and  still  later  once  a  week  or  oftener.  Rev.  Dennis  C. 
Moran  was  the  next  priest,  and  was  followed  by  Father  Gagnier, 
who  purchased  the  Eniory  Thayer  place,  opposite  the  Church,  and 
fitted  it  up  as  a  parsonage.  His  successor.  Rev.  J.  B.  Coullard, 
also  took  an  interest  in  improvements  about  the  place.  During 
the  summer  and  fall  of  1878,  Rev.  A.  Delphos,  acted  as  assistant, 
Mr.  Coullard  being  in  failing  health. 


CHAPTER    XI. 


WAR    OF    THE    REBELLION. 


N  three  of  the  preceding  chapters. 
l)egininng  with  the  sixth,  we  have 
endeavored,  in  the  spirit  of  a  scru- 
pulous adherence  to  the  truthful  but 
houorable  facts  in  the  case,  to  set 
forth  how  thoroughly  lo3-al  and  val- 
uable were  the  etforts  of  the  fathers 
of  our  town  in  the  achievement  of 
the  country's  iudei)eudeuce  of  Brit- 
ish domination.  \'iewing  this  as  a 
stupendous  experiment  of  popular 
government  by  and  for  tlie  [)eople. 
in  contrast  witli  tlie  hnughty  claims 
of  hereditary  power,  backed  l)v  the 
wealthy  orders  of  nobility,  against 
which  it  had  to  contend,  tlie  unparalleled  success  attending  their 
ettbrts  through  almost  a  hundred  years  of  testing  Avould  seem  to 
augur  the  success  of  the  descendants  of  these  fathers  in  suppressing 
any  remaining  relics  of  those  days  of  baronial  arrogance. 

It  cannot  be  disguised  that,  from  the  beginning  of  our  national 
history,  the  elements  of  a  most  intolerant  aristocracy  have  found 
constant  nutriment  in  the  system  of  slavery,  whicli,  i)ermitted  to 
exist  in  our  midst  merely  by  sufferance  at  the  outset,  continually 
grew  by  what  it  fed  upon,  until  it  ripened  into  an  open  menace  of 
our  very  existence  as  a  government.  And  it  is  much  to  the  credit 
of  the  sons  of  these  brave  men,  who  met  with  such  signal  success 
on  the  untried  field  of  a  separate  national  existence,  amid  difficul- 

8 


114  HISTORY   OF   DOUGLAS. 

ties  and  obstacles  unpreeedeuted  in  the  formidableuess  of  their 
array,  that  they  proved  themselves  their  worthy  successors  when  re- 
bellion sounded  the  call  to  arms  again.  As  then,  so  now,  Douglas 
was  among  the  foremost  in  rallying  for  the  defense  of  the  country. 

As  the  most  reliable  criteria  on  this  point,  we  append  the  action 
of  the  town  in  reference  to  all  the  imi)ortant  questions  demanding 
attention  at  the  breaking  out  of  this  fratricidal  war,  by  which  it 
will  be  seen  that  the  town  furnished  al)out  two  hundred  and  fift}' 
men  during  the  continuance  of  the  war,  and  at  its  close  was  found 
to  have  sent  to  the  scene  of  conflict  quite  a  surplus.  Five  of  its 
quota  were  enrolled  among  the  commissioned  officers  of  the  army. 
In  proportion  to  the  number  of  its  inhabitants,  the  town  was 
represented  b}'  more  men  than  any  other  town  in  Worcester 
count}',  and  also  contril)uted  the  most  money,  on  the  l)asis  of  its 
valuation,  for  the  same  purpose.  It  was  simply-  a  repetition  of  the 
old  spirit  of  '7(1.  The  whole  amount  of  money  appropriated  and 
expended  l)y  the  town  on  the  war  account,  exclusive  of  State 
aid,  was  $30,734.;3().  The  amount  paid  by  the  town  for  State 
aid  and  to  soldiers'  families  during  the  war,  and  repaid  b}'  the 
Commonwealth,  was  as  follows:  In  1861,  $601.70;  in  1862. 
$3,472.47  ;  in  1863,  $4,222.80  ;  in  1864,  $2,600  :  in  1865.  $1,100. 
Total  amount.  $12,056.97. 

The  first  legal  town  meeting  to  act  on  questions  relating  to  the 
war  was  held  May  7,  1861,  at  which  the  town  voted  to  raise  b}' 
taxation  $4,000  for  the  enlistment  and  equipment  of  a  company  of 
volunteers,  and  to  provide  for  the  families  of  those  who  enlist. 

On  the  11th  of  September  of  the  same  year,  at  another  legal 
meeting  of  the  citizens,  $2,000  were  appropriated  for  the  aid  of 
soldiers'  families,  thus  assuring  the  husbands  and  fathers  at  the 
front  that  their  wives  and  little  ones  should  be  cared  for. 

In  the  month  of  Jul}'  of  the  following  3'ear  the  toAvu  voted 
unanimously  to  pay  a  l^ounty  of  $100  to  each  volunteer  who  shall 
enlist  for  three  years'  military  serv-ice,  and  who  should  be  mustered 
in  to  the  credit  of  the  town,  in  addition  to  the  bounty  oflered  by 
the  government.  And  on  the  21st  of  August  following  in  town- 
meeting  $50  were  added  to  the  bounty  ' '  of  each  of  the  last  eleven 
volunteers."  The  l)ounty  to  volunteers  for  nine  months'  service 
was  fixed  at  $100,  which  was  on  September  4th  raised  to  $150. 

December  11,  1863,  Parley  Gould  and  Charles  W.  Moore  were 


WAR    OF   THE   REBELLION.  115 

chosen  to  confer  with  committees  of  Northhridge  and  Uxbridge 
in  relation  to  filling  the  quota  of  the  town. 

July  7,18(U,  the  Selectmen  were  autliorized  to  pay  a  bount}^  of 
$125  to  each  A'olunteer  who  shall  enlist  for  three  3-ears'  service, 
and  be  credited  to  the  town,  "  under  any  call  of  the  President  be- 
fore the  1st  of  March.  l«Gr> :  and  an}'  unappropriated  money  used 
to  reimburse  individuals  who  had  contributed  of  their  private  means 
to  pa}'  bounties  ma}''  be  used  for  this  purpose." 

August  20,  18G4,  it  was  voted  that  the  bounties  offered  by  the 
town  should  all  be  paid  in  gold.  And  in  1865,  after  the  conflict 
had  been  ended,  in  the  si^rit  of  honor  and  consistency  with  all 
its  previous  action,  the  town  voted  to  raise  $G,500  to  reimliurse 
citizens  who  had  voluntarily  contributed  of  their  private  means  to 
pay  bounties  and  encourage  re-enlisting.  It  is,  however,  a  fact 
worthy  of  record  that  some  Avho  had  been  active  in  securing  en- 
listments and  making  liberal  contributions  for  that  purpose,  refused 
to  accept  their  share  of  the  money  thus  voted  by  the  town,  choos- 
ing ratheu  to  have  it  remain  as  it  was  intended,  a  free  contribution. 
Among  this  uumlier  we  find  the  names  of  Dea.  Albert  Butler,  who, 
under  the  call  of  1861  offered  to  pay  two  dollars  and  fifty  cents  to 
every  soldier  enlisting  for  three  years'  service  on  the  quota  of 
Douglas.  Also  Mr.  Daniel  Phillipps,  who,  in  1863  made  an  offer 
of  two  dollars  to  every  soldier  enlisting  for  nine  months.  These 
promises  were  fulfilled  to  the  letter  and  the  money  tendered  each 
soldier  personally  while  they  were  in  camp  at  Worcester.  These 
acts  fully  justify  all  that  we  have  claimed  on  the  score  of  the  patri- 
otism of  the  citizens. 

The  taking  of  such  a  firm  and  uncompromising  stand  at  the 
outset,  and  maintaining  it  so  cordially  from  time  to  time,  and  with 
such  increasing  evidence  of  the  sincerity  with  which  the  citizens  of 
all  classes  were  striving  to  sustain  the  men  they  had  called  into 
the  service  of  the  country,  could  have  no  other  effect  than  that 
shown  by  the  records  cited  at  the  commencement  of  these  extracts. 

COMPLETE   LIST   OF   SOLDIERS,    WITH   THE   EEGIMENTS   TO 
WHICH   THEY   WERE   ATTACHED. 

The  following  is  believed  to  be  as  full  and  accurate  a  statement 
of  the  names  of  all  the  soldiers  from  Douglas  engaged  in  the  war 
of  the  RebeUion,  with  their  rank  and  the  army  division  in  which 


116 


HISTOEY   OF    DOUGLAS. 


they  were  enrolled,    as  can  be  obtained  after  the   most  diUgent 
search  and  inquiry  : 


Second  IMass.  Vols. 

Lebright  Brown, 
John  B.  Johnson, 
John  Richards, 
Thomas  Take, 
Thomas  AVolf. 

Fourth  Mass.  Vols. 

John  Shriver. 

Eleventh  Mass.  Vols. 

Horace  Bekling, 
Lorin  R.  Chase, 
Phihp  Gannon, 
J.  Francis  W.  Thompson. 

Fifteenth  Mass.  Vols. 

.  Edwin  F.  Andrews, 
Rufus  Beklen,  Corp., 
Kennedy  Bronock, 
Franklin  BuUard,  Corp., 
Benjamin  R.  Elliott, 
Harlan  Fairbanks.  Corp., 
Sylvester  Oakes, 
Nathaniel  Putnam, 
Adoniram  J.  Rawson, 
Samuel  Sibley, 
Harvey  Sibley, 
Thomas  Snow,  Jr., 
Thomas  A.  Southwick, 
Hiram  Ward. 

Eighteenth  Mass.  Vols. 
Alexander  Thompson. 

Twenty-Second  Mass.  Vols. 
Alfred  H.  Marsh. 

Twenty-Fourth  Mass.  Vols. 

John  Blake. 
Twenty-Fifth  Mars.  Vols. 

Joseph  Albee, 
Orrin  J.  Aldrich, 
John  Allen, 

William    De  Forest    Balcome, 
Musician, 


Benjamin  Bartlett, 
James  O.  Bartlett, 
Nathan  S.  Bartlett, 
Elbridge  Buxton, 
Glory  Busch, 
Oi-lando  Carpenter, 
Samuel  A.  Cragin, 
Joshua  Dubuque. 
Cornelius  Emmons,  Band, 
George  A.  Gleason, 
Stephen  Hall, 
George  Hall, 
Samuel  Hall, 
John  Hall, 

Renssalaer  G.  Hamilton, 
Benajah  Hodge, 
Allen  R.  Hough, 
Henry  C.  Lampson, 
George  Leach, 
Joseph  Lemay, 
Jeremiah  E.  Luther,  Corp., 
Thomas  Magee, 
Timothy  Megary, 
Aaron  Metcalf , 
Marshall  Puvinton, 
Nathaniel  Putnam, 
Lambert  B.  Simmons, 
Hiram  Staples, 
Amos  Steere,  Band, 
Francis  A.  Stockwell, 
Joseph  Teabault, 
Charles  C.  Wall, 
William  Wood. 
Twenty-Seventh  Mass.  Vols. 
Dr.   Franklin  Hunt,  Assistant 

Surgeon, 
William  Mayer, 
Lewis  Satro. 

Twenty-Eighth  Mass.  Vols. 

Thomas  J.  Calden,  Band, 
Enoch  Converse,  Band, 
Noah  H.  Jones,  Band, 
Edward  L.  Thayer,  Band, 
Bennett  W.  Thomas,  Band. 


WAR    OF    THE    UIOHELLIUN. 


117 


Thiktieth  Mass.  Vols. 
John  Perry. 

Thirty-Third  Mass.  Vols. 
James  Ward. 

Thirty-Sixth  Mass.  Vols. 
Daniel  A.  Burton,  fcjerot., 
Patrick  Callahan, 
Leonard  A.  Chapman, 
Elias  H.  Freeman, 
MattheAv  Hudson, 
William  Mowry. 

Fifty-First  Mass.  Vols. 

Leander  Andrews, 

Nelson  Angell, 

Joseph  T.  Arnold, 

Charles  T.  Balcome, 

Elmer  H.  Balcome, 

Wellington  Balcome, 

Solomon  V.  R.  Barnes, 

Lemuel  C.  Belding, 

John  Bird, 

Philetus  Buffum, 

Loami  B.  Carr, 

John  Collar, 

John  Donaldson, 

George  E.  Dunn, 

John  X.  Gaskell, 

Gilbert  Gillson, 

Leonard  G.  Higgins,  Corp., 

Moses  W.  HolHs, 

Joseph  Hough, 

Josiah  Hough,  Jr., 

Loren  M.  Howell, 

William  Hunt,  Capt., 

George  F.  Ilutchins,  Band, 

William  X.  Jones, 

OscJir  Keith, 

Benjamin  Knapp,  Corp., 

Alphonso  Luther,  Sergt., 

Francis  A.  Maynard,  Corp., 

Charles  W.   Moore,  2d   Lieut., 

Francis  L.  Moore, 

Lewis  T.  Moore,  Sergt., 

Naham  Morse, 


Ezekiel   Packard,    1st    Lieut,, 

Peter  lioberts, 

Charles  F.  Eussell, 

Jeremiah  F.  Eussell, 

Alfred  Snow, 

Ira  Southwick, 

Willis  W.  Sherman, 

Simeon  H.  Staples, 

Lucius  M.  Thayer,  Capt., 

Elijah  Thompson, 

David  L.  Thomas, 

Chandler  Titus, 

Hiram  Ward, 

Charles  Whitney, 

Lucius  S.  Whipple, 

Charles  A.  Whipple, 

Wilbour  A.  Wilcox, 

William  H.  Wilcox, 

James  Woodard, 

Dorris  B.  Young. 

Fifty-Sevkxth  Mass.  Vols. 

David  B.  Curtis, 
John  X.  Gaskell, 
Henry  Glover, 
Abner  A.  Lealand, 
Lewis  Mountain. 

Fifty-Eighth  Mass.  Vols. 
George  A.  Stone. 

First  Mass.  Cavalry. 

John  D.  Darling, 
Xoah  M.  Knight, 
William  X.  Sprague, 
Charles  C.  Walls, 
J(Jlin  Kelly. 

Third  Mass.  Cavalry. 
Herbert  R.  Bragg. 
Fourth  Mass.  Cavalry. 
William  Brown, 
James  Clark, 
John  McGrath, 
Xoah  M.  Knight.* 

^Transferred  from  First  Mass.  Cavalry. 


118 


HISTORY    OF    DOUGLAS. 


First  Mass.  Heavy  Artillery. 

Stephen  Martyr, 
Alexander  Miken, 
Andrew  Peter. 

Second  Mass.  Heavy  Artillery. 

Joseph  Bygoine, 
Charles  Bouer, 
Thomas  Fitzgerald, 
William  L.  Church, 
John  Hartwell, 
Miletus  Luther, 
James  Clarke,  Corp., 
.John  Manning, 
Alfred  Snow, 
.Joseph  Quiini. 


SiXTEEJN^TH     (Unattached) 
Heavy  Artillery-. 

Thomas  W.  Nelson, 
Byron  Richardson, 
Osborn  Richardson. 

First  R.  I.  Vols. 
George  R.  Buftum. 

Second  R.  I.  Vols. 
Leonard  C.  Belding, 
(,'harles  W.  Stearns. 

Fourth  R.  I.  Vols. 

Sabine  Angell, 
Windsor  Ballon, 
William  W.  Caswell, 
Simeon  Smith. 

Seventh  R.  I.  Vols., 

Elisha  E.  Thompson,  Corp. 

First  R.  I.  Cavai,ry. 

George  Aldrich, 
Simeon  A.  Brown, 
Sylvester  Chase, 
H.  C.  Fitts,  Capt., 
Chas.  E.  Gould, 
Albert  A.  Greene, 
Munroe  W.  Ide, 
M.  Leach, 
James  Lee, 


Co. 


Charles  H.  I^egg, 
M.  M.  Luther, 
William  Lyon, 
Alfred  P.  Palmer, 
George  Snow, 
Leander  Thompson, 
Albert  J.  Watkins, 
Ira  Wakefield, 
Thomas  J.  Wood. 

Third  R.  I.  Cavalry. 

Chas.  A.  Andrews,Quar.  Sergt., 

Edwin  F.Andrews,  Com.  Sergt., 

W.  D.  Bateoine, 

Samuel  Cragin, 

Henry  C.  Fitts,  Capt., 

Daniel  E.  Gould, 

Eugene  H.  Gould, 

Joseph  Hough, 

Nelson  Jepherson,  Farrier, 

Thomas  Magee,  Corp., 

Myron  Simpson, 

Bennett  W.  Thomas, 

Wm.  H.  Wilcox. 

Seventh  R.  I.  Cavalry. 

W.  De  Forest  Balcome, 
Henry  C.  Fitts,  Musician, 
Hezekiah  Ivnight. 

Third  R.  I.  Heavy"  Artillery'. 

Peter  Balcome, 
Cyrus  Jeiiherson, 
George  Jepherson, 
James  Jepherson, 

Thirteenth  Conn.  Vols. 
Newell  J.  Lee,  Sergt. 

Eighteenth  Conn.  Vols. 
Walter  Ward. 

TWKNTY-SlXTH   COXN.  VOLS. 

Myron  Starrett. 

Engineer  Corps  U.  S.  Army. 

Francis  S.  Phillips, 
Napoleon  Ritchie. 


WAR    OF    THE    REBELLION. 


119 


Fourth  Vermont  Vot.s. 
George  H.  Amiclon,  Capt. 

Signal  Corps  U.  S.  Army. 

Thomas  L.  Bovey, 
George  B.nllou, 
Addison  Hawkey, 
Henry  E.  Hawkey, 
Charles  S,  Hohnes, 
Michael  Martin, 
John  T.  Shaw. 
Horace  L.  Tilton. 
Elliot  Travis. 

U.  S.  Navy. 
Edtrar  P.  Barton. 


John  Norton, 
James  Wilson. 

Veteran  Reserve  Corps. 

Charles  H.  Beers, 
Oscar  L.  Brown, 
August  Chrome, 
Edmund  Coggshall, 
John  Goodnow, 
Dennis  M.  Hennesey, 
Munro  W.  Ide, 
William  F.  Krantz, 
]S^athaniel  Palmer, 
James  Tubbs, 
David  H.  Selgham, 
Thomas  Sti'atton, 
Madison  Sanborn, 
Martin  H.  Schollay. 


CASUALTIES. 

Capt.  Geo.  H.  Amidon,  wounded  in  the  thigh  in  the  battle  of  the 
Wilderness  May  o,  18(34;  partly  recovered,  and  returned  to  the  army,  and 
wounded  again  (in  the  thigh)  at  Cedar  Creek  Oct.  17,  1804.  Since  died, 
and  was  buried  in  Oxford. 

Joseph  Albee,  died  and  was  buried  at  Newbern,  N.  C,  in  the  spring 
of  1863. 

Capt.  Simeon  Brown,  wounded  June  18,  1863.  Died  at  East  Doug- 
las. 

Xathan  Barteett,  killed  at  Cold  Harbor,  June  3,  1804. 

Daniel  A.  Burton,  wounded  by  a  shell  before  Petersburg  Oct.  2, 1804. 
Died  Oct.  19,  1864;  buried  at  South  Sutton  Cemetery. 

Orlando  Carpenter,  wounded  in  the  arm  and  leg  at  Cold  Harbor 
June  3,  1864,  and  died  in  the  hospital  at  Washington  June  10,  1864. 

Leonard  A.  Chapman,  killed  befoie  Petersburg  July  9,  1864. 

LoRiN  R.  Chase,  died  May  9,  1804;  buried  in  the  Douglas  Cemetery. 

David  B.  Curtis,  killed  at  Petersljurg,  Va.,  June,  1804. 

Benjamin  R.  Elliott,  killed  at  Antietam,  September,  1802,  and  was 
buried  there. 

Harlan  Fairbanks,  severely  wounded  in  the  leg  and  foot  at  the 
battle  of  Fair  Oaks  or  Seven  Pines,  near  Richmond,  Va..  June  30,  1862. 

Capt.  Henry*  C.  Fitts,  died  of  small-pox  at  Donaldsonville,  La.,  Dec. 
19,  1864,  and  was  buried  there. 

John  N.  Gaskell,  killed  near  Spottsylvania  court-house  May  31, 
1864. 

Perley'  U.  Germe,  missing. 


120  HISTORY   OF   DOUGLAS, 

Geokgk  a.  Glkason,   severely  wouncletl  in  the  leg  at  Cold  Harbor 

June  3,  1864,  and  discharged  Oct.  20,  1804. 

Henry  Glovkk,  killed  at  Cold  Harbor  June  ;J,  18G4,  and  buried 
there. 

Daniel  E.  Gould,  taken  prisoner  —  feet  badly  frozen.  Suffered  in 
rebel  prison,  but  was  exchanged,  and  died  May  25,  at  Jefferson  Barracks, 
Mo.,  of  typhoid  fever,  brought  on  by  exposure. 

Eugene  E.  Gould,  discharged  Nov.  IC.  1S64.  Lost  on  steamer  North 
America,  off  Cape  Hatteras,  Dec.  22,  1864. 

Charles  E.  Gould,  taken  prisoner  June  18,  1863.  Exchanged,  and 
again  taken  prisoner  Oct.  12,  1863.  Exchanged,  and  taken  prisoner  for  the 
third  time  March  31,  1864;  was  afterwards  exchanged,  and  transferred  to 
Troop  D,  1st  R.  I.  Cavalry,  Dec.  21.  1864. 

Albert  A.  Greene,  taken  prisoner  June  18,  1863.  Exchanged,  and 
re-enlisted. 

Allen  R.  Hough,  died  of  typhoid  fever  at  Hampton  hospital  Aug. 
10,  1864. 

Joseph  Hough,  taken  prisoner  while  bearing  dispatches,  near  New 
Orleans. 

Matthew  Hudson,  lost  in  battle. 

Dr.  Franklin  Hunt,  killed  by  guerrillas  at  Little  Washington,  N.C. 

George  Jepherson,  died  in  hospital  at  New  York  Oct.  28,  1863,  and 
was  buried  there. 

Newell  J.  Lee  

M.  Leach,  missing  in  action  Oct.  12,  18()3.  Supposed  to  have  been 
captured. 

Jerrie  E.  Luther,  died  at  Newbern,  N.  C,  Oct.  14,  1863,  of  conges- 
tion of  the  brain;  buried  in  Evergreen  Cemetery. 

Abner  a.  Leland,  killed  before  Petersburg  June  23,  1864,  and  was 
buried  there. 

William  Lyon,  not  accounted  for. 

Timothy  Magary,  killed  before  Petersburg  May  11,  1864,  and  was 
buried  there. 

Thomas  M.  Magee,  wounded  in  side  by  grape  shot  at  battle  of  Roan- 
oke Island.  Lost  on  steamer  North  America  off  Cape  Hatteras  Dec. 
22,  1864. 

Mark  Mitchell,  died  at  Newbern,  N.  C. 

Daniel  Mix,  wounded  in  the  arm  at  Cold  Harbor  June  2,  1864,  and 
discharged  from  service  Jan.  16,  1865. 

Francis  L.  Moore,  died  in  hospital  at  Newbern,  N.  C,  April  26, 1863. 
Buried  in  E.  Douglas  Evergreen  Cemetery. 

Sylvester  Oakes,  killed  at  Fredericksburg  Dec.  13,  1862. 

William  Oakes,  wounded  in  the  leg  at  Antietam  Sept.  15,  1862. 

Nathaniel  C.  Putnam,  died  at  Fairfax,  Va.,  Oct.  10,  1862,  of  con- 
sumption. 

Joseph  Quinn,  wounded  in  leg  and  foot  in  skirmish  near  Newbern, 
N.  C,  in  1864. 

Samuel  Sibley,  wounded  severely  in  the  leg  at  Ball's  Bluff  Oct.  21, 
1861,  and  died  at  Poolesville,  Md.,  Nov.  6,  1861,  and  was  buried  there. 


WAR    OF    THE    REBELLION.  121 

George  Sxovv,  wounded  March  17,  1803.     Re-enlisted. 

Myron  Starrktt,  wounded  above  tlie  hip  at  Port  Hudson  first  day's 
battle,  and  died  before  morning,  May  27,  1803. 

David  L.  Thomas,  taken  prisoner  by  scouts,  near  Bayou,  La.,  Jan. 
23,  1865. 

EnsiiA  E.  TixoMPsox,  wounded  slightly  Dec.  13,  1802,  at  battle  of 
Fredericksbuig. 

Leandkr  Thompson,  died  of    consumption  Feb.  29,  1804,  in  Douglas. 

Luther  White,  taken  prisoner  at  Staunton,  Va.,  June  12,  1804. 
Died  at  Annai^olis,  Md.,  March  14,  18<55.     Died  of  starvation. 

William  H.    Wilcox,   discharged  Nov.    16,   1864.     Lost  on  steamer 
North  America  oft'  Cape  Hatteras  Dec.  22,  1864. 

Decoration  T>SLy  has  been  observed  from  year  to  year,  in  a  quiet 
but  appropriate  manner.  There  has  been  no  permanent  soldiers' 
organization  since  the  war,  although  in  the  spring  of  1869  efforts 
were  made  to  organize  a  Post  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  llepublic. 
The  requisite  number  of  names  were  secured  among  the  surAnving 
soldiers  and  officers  in  this  town,  but  no  organization  was  effected. 

G.  F.  Ilutchins  organized  an  independent  company  of  mihtia 
in  June,  I'STO,  and  attempted  to  enlist  them  in  the  State  service, 
and  to  procure  uniforms  and  arms,  but  he  failed  to  accomplish  this 
object,  and  the  company  was  afterwards  disbanded. 


CHAPTER   XII 


NEWSPAPERS    AND    OTHER    PUBLICATIONS. 


()3LEWHERE  near  the  latter  part  of  18(57  two 
journeymen  printers,  Gustavus  B.  Qnimby  and 
George  W.  Spencer,  then  employed  in  the  office 
of  the  Times  at  Webster,  conceived  the  idea  of 
startinp,"  in  business  tog-ether,  and  commenced 
looking  ar()und  for  a  location.  They  corre- 
sponded with  postmasters  and  others  in  ascer- 
taining where  a  town  could  be  found  with  suffi- 
cient population  and  public  spirit  to  support  a  newspa})er.  but, 
w^hile  few  towns  were  unwilling  to  have  a  local  organ,  most  of 
those  not  already  supplied  could  offer  no  substantial  encourage- 
ment. Both  of  the  would-be  publishers  were  experienced  in  the 
mechanical  wTjrk  of  a  printing  office,  but  neither  of  them  had  oc- 
cupied an  editorial  position,  or  were  familiar  with  the  details  of  the 
pulilishing  iKisiness,  which,  perhaps,  was  one  of  the  reasons  why 
more  encouragement  was  not  extended  to  them. 

Mr.  Dresser,  editor  of  the  Times,  learning  the  intentions  of  his 
employes,  suggested  that  the  neighboring  town  of  Douglas  would 
afford  a  good  field  for  operation.  Acting  upon  his  suggestion, 
Mr.  Spencer  visited  this  place  in  January,  1868.  and  consulted 
with  some  of  the  leading  citizens.  First  visiting  the  ofhce  of  the 
Douglas  Axe  INIanufacturing  Company,  and  introtlucing  himself  to 
the  agent,  Mr.  Edwin  Moore,  he  ascertained  that  considerable  job 
printing  could  be  transferred  from  offices  at  Worcester  to  a  home 
office,  should  one  be  established.      Mr.  Moore  was  quite  enthusias- 


NEWSPAPERS    AND    OTHER    PUBLICATIONS. 


123 


tic  over  the  idea  of  having  a  local  paper,  with  a  job  printing  office 
connected,  and  his  kindness  and  courtesy  strengthened  the  deter- 
mination of  the  projectors  to  make  this  the  seat  of  their  opera- 
tions. 

A  handbill  was  issued,  setting  forth  the  ideas  of  Messrs. 
Quimby  and  Spencer,  and  calling  for  subscriptions  to  the  Douglas 
Herald,  the  tirst  number  of  which  it  was  intended  to  issue  on  the 
1st  of  March.  These  were  posted  all  over  town,  and  subsci'iption 
papers  were  left  in  charge  of  various  persons  for  signatures. 

The  resources  for  establishing  the  printing  business  in  Douglas 
were  of  the  most  meager  description,  as  neither  of  the  projectors 


(Knapp  Building-.)  (Arcade.) 

OFFICES   OF   DOUGLAS   HEKALD,    EAST   DOUOLAS. 


were  in  possession  of  any  considerable  amount  of  money  or 
property  ;  but  they  had  an  abundance  of  faith.  Mr.  Quimby  was 
the  owner  of  an  old-fashioned  Kuggles  job  press,  Avhich  would 
print  a  form  only  al)Out  five  by  eight  inches,  and  he  had  laid  b}- 
something  like  S200  for  a  rainy  da}'.  Mr.  Spencer  succeeded  in 
raising  about  an  equal  sum,  and,  being  something  of  a  mechanic, 
111'  went  to  work  at  building  the  necessary  frames  and  stands 
needed  for  the  office,  so  as  to  reduce  the  amount  of  capital  re- 
quired to  the  lowest  possible  figure.  All  of  this  work  Avas  done  at 
night,  after  the  day's  labor  in  the    Times  office.     A  wood-shed 


124  HISTORY   OF   DOUGLAS. 

adjoining  his  ])0:irding-liouse  was  used  for  a  carpenter's  shop,  witli- 
out  bench  or  tloor,  and  with  onh'  a  hand-saw  and  hammer.  The 
work  was  necessarily  very  roughly  done,  but  it  answered  the  pur- 
pose. 

It  was  intended  to  secure  at  least  five  hundred  subscribers 
before  issuing  the  first  number  of  the  paper,  but  it  was  found 
impossible  to  get  this  number,  and  the  figures  were  reduced,  first 
to  four  hundred,  and  then  again  to  three  hundred.  AMien  the 
latter  number  was  nearly  reached,  arrangements  were  made  for 
procuring  the  press  and  type  from  the  New  England  Type 
Foundry  of  Messrs.  Phelps  &  Dalton,  in  Boston.  A  hand-press, 
somewhat  worn,  but  just  ovei'hauled  and  repaired,  was  selected, 
with  four  hundred  pounds  of  long  primer,  two  hundred  pounds  of 
brevier,  about  twenty  fonts  of  job  type,  and  other  necessary 
articles  —  the  whole  amounting  to  about  $800.  It  was  agreed 
that  $4:00  should  l>e  paid  down,  a  portion  of  the  balance  in  sixty 
days,  and  the  remainder  in  ninety  days.  These  conditions  were 
adhered  to,  and  were  m^de  possible  by  the  terms  of  subscription 
to  the  paper,  which  required  payment  in  advance,  thus  placing 
the  necessary  amount  of  money  in  the  hands  of  the  pubUshers. 

An  office  was  secured  in  the  second  story  of  the  building 
adjoining  the  hotel,  owned  by  Mr.  Asa  Thayer,  in  the  lower 
story  of  which  was  the  post-office.  Two  rooms  were  made  into 
one  by  removing  a  partition,  and  for  the  time  these  quarters  were 
amply  sufficient.  The  press  and  material  arrived  about  the  1st 
of  March,  and  the  office  was  arranged  and  work  begun  on  the 
first  paper  l)y  Mr.  vSpencer,  his  partner  remaining  in  his  old  posi- 
tion at  Webster  until  the  last  moment. 

On  the  seventh  day  of  March,  1868,  the  first  number  of  the 
Douglas  Herald  made  its  appearance.  It  had  four  pages  of  six 
columns  each,  and  five  columns  of  local  advertising  matter.  It 
was  spoken  of  by  its  contemporaries  as  "  a  bright,  newsy  sheet," 
and  its  publishers  and  the  community  took  pardonable  pride  in  it. 
In  its  salutatory  the  publishers  stated  that  the  Herald  was  designed 
to  represent  the  town  of  Douglas,  but  it  was  their  intention  to 
make  the  paper  a  welcome  visitor  in  many  homes  in  other  localities. 
It  was  committed  to  no  sect  or  party,  but  its  columns  were  opened 
to  all  who  wished  candidly  to  discuss  measures  of  pubhc  pohcy 
affecting  the  moral,  social  and  political  welfare  of  the  people.     As 


NEWSPAPERS    AND   OTHER   PUBLICATIONS.  125 

between  a  manly  independence,  on  the  one  hand,  and  a  craven 
neutrality  on  the  other,  the  former  was  accepted  as  the  rule  of 
action,  and  the  public  were  informed  that  "  whatever  ability  and 
influence  this  humble  sheet  might  possess  would  be  fearlessly 
exerted  in  supporting  the  eternal  principles  of  liberty,  justice  and 
truth,  which  must  endure  when  platforms  crumble  and  creeds  are 
forgotten." 

Starting  with  a  circulation  of  only  about  two  hundred  and  sixty 
copies,  and  a  small  advertising  patronage,  frequent  additions  were 
made  to  the  subscription  Ust,  and  by  the  1st  of  July  its  advertis- 
ing space  was  increased  to  thirteen  columns.  Still,  with  the  in- 
crease of  patronage  the  pubhshers  did  not  find  their  position  free 
from  ditticulties,  and  Uve  or  die  was  for  some  time  an  open  ques- 
tion. It  took  the  greatest  possible  amount  of  hard  work  and  the 
most  rigid  economy  to  meet  the  payments  due  upon  the  press  and 
type,  and  to  place  the  concern  upon  a  secure  footing.  Four  months 
of  toil,  with  poor  health  and  sickness  in  his  family,  were  sufficient 
for  Mr.  Quimby,  and  on  the  11th  of  July  he  retired  from  the  firm, 
leaving  Mr.  Spencer  as  sole  editor  and  publisher.  The  money  to 
[)urchase  Mr.  Quimby's  interest  in  the  concern  was  raised  by  a 
mortgage  for  $()00  on  the  office,  which  was  taken  by  Mr.  Asa 
Thayer  and  Dea.  Albert  Butler,  ]>oth  of  whom  had  manifested  great 
interest  in  the  success  of  the  enterprise.  With  this  money  Mr. 
Quimby  went  to  Providence  and  started  a  job  office,  afterwards 
moving  to  Woonsocket  and  starting  the  business  now  conducted 
by  W.  H.  Goodale  &  Co.  He  did  not  succeed  in  his  new  ven- 
tures, and  some  years  afterwards  died,  while  employed  as  foreman 
in  the  office  of  the  Worcester  West  Chronicle  at  Athol. 

After  thi'ee  months  of  sole  proprietorship,  Mr.  Spencer  on  the 
Ist  of  October  took  Henry  F.  Dudley  into  partnership  with  him. 
The  paper  was  enlarged  to  seven  columns  on  a  page,  and  an  eftbrt 
was  made  to  enlist  the  interest  of  Whitinsville  people  by  engag- 
ing Mr.  George  L.  Gibbs,  a  leading  merchant  of  that  place,  as 
local  correspondent. 

Mr.  Dudley  was  not  a  practical  printer,  and  he  evinced  but 
little  taste  for  the  newspaper  business.  Nominally  he  was  the 
"  business  manager  "  of  the  concern,  while  Mr.  Spencer  continued 
to  edit  the  paper  and  superintend  the  mechanical  department. 
While   this   partnership    continued  the   UabiUties  of  the  concern 


126  HISTORY   OP   DOITGLAS. 

constantly  increased,  and  the  end  of  the  year  found  it  bearing  a 
heavy  bnrden  of  indebtedness. 

In  Septeml^er,  1869,  Mr.  Fenner  Batcheller.  postmaster  of  the 
village,  gave  notice  of  his  intention  to  resign  his  office,  and  some 
of  the  friends  of  tlie  paper  wanted  its  editor  appointed  to  the  posi- 
tion, thinking  that  the  salary  wonld  aid  him  in  estal)lishing  the 
paper  on  a  surer  basis.  A  caucus  of  Republican  voters  was  held 
in  Citizens'  Hall  on  the  13th  of  September,  when  jNIr.  Spencer  was 
nominated  for  postmaster  by  a  unanimous  vote,  and  a  i)etition  in 
his  favor  was  forwarded  to  Washington  with  Mr.  Batcheller's 
resignation.  On  the  following  week  Mr.  Dudley's  name  disap- 
peared from  the  paper,  and  Mr.  Spencer  was  again  alone  as 
publisher.  He  was  duly  installed  as  postmaster,  and  the  two 
offices  were  connected  by  an  open  stairway. 

In  the  latter  part  of  the  year  1869  the  Herald  began  to  agitate 
various  subjects  of  local  importance,  and  so  much  earnestness 
was  given  to  the  work  as  to  alienate  some  of  its  former  supporters 
who  entertained  antagonistic  views.  One  of  these  was  the  building  of 
a  new  town  hall  from  the  proceeds  of  the  Moses  Wallis  de^'ise.  which, 
under  the  terms  of  the  will,  could  not  be  used  for  sixty  years,  and 
then  only  the  accumulating  interest  of  a  new  principal.  An 
opinion  was  entertained  by  many  intelligent  citizens  that  the 
Legislature  could  empower  the  town  to  set  aside  the  obnoxious 
provisions,  and  allow  the  money  to  be  used  for  the  purposes 
specified  without  waiting  for  the  sixty  years  to  expire.  Others 
favored  the  issuing  of  town  notes  to  build  a  hall,  and  allow  the 
interest  to  be  met  by  the  interest  of  the  Wallis  investments. 
The  Heralds  while  committing  itself  to  no  definite  plan,  favored 
the  building  of  a  hall  at  once,  and  sought  by  every  means  in  its 
])ower  to  urge  this  necessity  upon  the  people.  The  main  objection 
came  from  the  suburban  residents,  who  saw  in  the  building  of  a 
town  hall  the  removal  of  all  town  business  from  the  Center,  and 
the  bare  mention  of  such  an  idea,  oi-  anything  tending  in  that 
direction,  was  sufficient  to  arouse  a  spirit  of  jealousy  and  oppo- 
sition. A  rough  cut  of  a  suitable  building  was  made  by  W.  A. 
Emerson,  then  an  amateur  engraver,  and  it  bears  a*  striking 
reseml)lance  to  the  building  recently  erected  l)v  Mr.  Asa  Thayer 
for  a  village  hall  and  other  purposes.  Mr.  Emerson,  having  ''  got 
his  hand  in,"  continued  to  illustrate  other  subjects,   and   frequent 


NEWSPAPERS    AND   OTHER   PUBLICATIONS.  127 

caricatures  of  persons  easi^'  recognized  appeared  from  time  to 
time,  creating  sensations  wliicli  helped  the  paper  in  som(>  diri'ctions 
and  injured  it  in  others. 

Another  subject  which  excited  much  interest  and  created  con- 
siderable feehng  was  the  annexation  of  Manchaug  to  East  Doug- 
las,  and  the  formation  of  a  new  town,  leaving  Old  Douglas  out  to 
cool  off  its  heated  opposition  to  all  measures  looking  to  the  pros- 
perity of  the  East  Village.  This  was  illustrated  b}-  a  map,  show- 
ing the  proposed  new  division  line,  and  an  imaginative  sketch  of  a 
Manchaug  man  climbing  the  Sutton  hills  to  attend  town-meeting 
in  the  centre  of  his  own  town.  Santa  Claus  was  also  depicted, 
with  the  village  of  Manchaug  upon  his  back,  bringing  it  as  a  Christ- 
mas gift  to  Douglas. 

The  issue  of  Jan.  1,  l.sjo,  contained  a  sketch  which,  like  the 
boy's  picture,  ueedecl  some  explanation  to  ''distinguish  the  cow 
from  the  rose."  Astride  the  universe  sat  Father  Time,  with  his 
hour-glass  and  remorseless  scythe,  the  latter  having  penetrated  the 
Moses  Wallis  will,  which  hung  in  a  shattered  condition  from  the 
end  thereof.  AVith  his  left  foot  he  was  represented  as  kicking  into 
black  eternity  an  old  fogy  who  had  opposed  all  advancement.  On 
the  left  of  the  picture  the  sun  was  rising  in  splendor  over  the 
united  villages  of  East  Douglas  and  Manchaug,  with  the  nu^jestic 
proportions  of  the  new  town  hall  looming  up  in  the  foreground. 
No  better  perspective  of  the  coming  year  was  desired  by  the  paper, 
and  the  "  fulmination  of  the  artist's  vivid  imagination"  was  hoped 
to  be  the  precursor  of  li-^ing  reality. 

At  the  close  of  the  year  1861)  the  bona  fide  circulation  of  the 
Herald  was  in  the  neighborhood  of  four  hundred  copies.  Its  ex- 
penses had  been  very  much  increased,  and,  on  account  of  the  stand 
taken  in  local  affairs,  some  of  the  town's  people  had  not  only  with- 
drawn their  support,  but  were  actively  engaged  in  influencing  oth- 
ers to  follow  their  example.  If  the  editor  was  in  error  in  his 
earnest  advocacy  of  measures,  he  was  certainly  conscientious,  and 
he  enjoyed  at  least  the  sympathy  of  by  far  the  largest  portion  of 
the  inteUigent,  public-spirited  population  of  the  village.  The 
falhng  off  in  receipts  of  the  paper  was  more  than  counterbalanced 
bj-  the  increase  in  the  jobbing  department,  which  made  the  pur- 
chase of  a  new  press  necessary.  It  was  not  thought  prudent, 
however,  to  allow  the  paper  to  absorb  more  of  the  income  of  the 


128  HISTORY   OP   DOUGLAS. 

office  than  belonged  to  it,  and  consequently  in  November  it  adopted 
the  co-operative  plan,  purchasing  read^'-printed  outsides  from  the 
New  York  Newspaper  Union,  which  were  forwarded  regularly  on 
the  day  before  pubUcation.  A  bid  for  increased  patronage  in 
"Whitinsville  was  made  at  the  same  time  by  issuing  a  sheet  called 
the  Whitinsville  Con^yendivm,  which  differed  but  Uttle  from  the 
Herald,  except  in  advertising  and  the  re-arrangement  of  matter. 
This  sheet  was  placed  under  the  editorial  and  business  control  of 
Mr.  George  L.  Gibbs,  whose  pungent  locals  and  careful  manage- 
met  won  for  it  as  much  popularity-  and  success  as  a  half  local  paper 
could  expect  to  gain. 

Nearh'  three  j-ears  of  newspaper  experience  in  East  Douglas 
had  convinced  the  publisher  that  it  was  an  unpromising  field  for 
the  accumulation  of  a  competency,  or  for  the  establishment  of  a 
successful  and  prosj^erous  journal.  The  j^eople  of  Blackstone 
were  anxious  for  the  estalilishment  of  a  paper  in  that  town,  and 
overtures  from  some  of  them  led  to  a  consideration  of  the  idea  of 
removing  the  Herald  to  that  jilace.  where  it  would  have  the  ad- 
vantage of  a  larger  population,  and  ;i  more  extensive  business  at 
an  important  railroad  centre.  When  tliis  idea  was  made  public. 
Mr.  A.  F.  Jones,  an  influential  and  pubhc-spirited  merchant  of 
East  Douglas,  sought  to  induce  jNIr.  Spencer  to  remain,  and  through 
his  influence  a  sutticient  sum  of  money  was  raised  l>y  suliscrip- 
tion  to  purchase  a  power  press  which  wiis  placed  in  the  office. 
Partly  on  this  account,  and  more  on  account  of  the  good  will  which 
this  act  represented,  the  idea  of  leaving  was  for  the  time  abandoned. 
Subsequently  the  press  was  purchased  by  INIr.  Si>tMicer.  who  paid 
back  the  amounts  contributed  by  the  citizens. 

The  issues  of  both  the  Herald  and  Compendivm  appeared  on 
the  11th  of  Noveml)er.  reduced  to  six  columns  on  n  page,  and 
printed  entirely  at  the  home  office,  the  ready-printed  outsides  be- 
ing abandoned.  Typographically  and  otherwise  the  paper  never 
presented  a  more  creditable  appearance. 

March  9th,  1872,  Mr.  Charles  A.  W.  Spencer,  a  brother  of  the 
editor,  who  had  been  for  some  time  in  his  emi)loy.  was  admitted 
to  partnership,  but  the  firm  name  remained  unchanged  under  the 
style  of  G.  W.  Spencer  &  Co.  • 

On  the  2r)th  of  January,  1873,  the  Douglas  Herald  and  Whit- 
insville Compendium  were  merged  into  one  sheet,  called  the  Wor- 


NEWSPAPERS    AND    OTHER    PUBLICATIONS,  129 

cestej'  South  Compendinvi,  :ind  was  at  the  same  time  enlarged  to 
seven  columns  on  a  page.  The  \yA\wv  continued  to  exist  as  a  Doug- 
las institution  until  the  4th  of  October,  1.S78,  when  it  was  removed  to 
Uxbridge,  against  the  wish  of  a  large  portion  of  the  people  of  this 
town.  The  job  otlice  was  separated  from  the  paper,  and  left  in 
charge  of  the  junior  member  of  tlie  lirm,  who  also  for  a  time  acted 
as  editor  of  a  Douglas  department.  Within  a  few  months  of  the 
removal  the  job  office  was  sold  to  Mr.  C.  J.  Batcheller,  a  former 
employe  of  the  concern,  who  has  since  continued  to  act  as  agent 
and  c<jrresp(jndent  of  the  Worcester  South  Compendiunt.  Through 
the  efforts  put  forth  in  this  direction  tlie  paper  has  succeeded  in 
retaining  the  larger  part  of  its  Douglas  support,  and  is  still  con- 
sidered the  local  organ  of  the  town  and  vicinity. 

ftobably  no  paper  ever  had  a  more  enthusiastic  set  (jf  suj)- 
porters  than  the  Herald  while  it  remained  here,  notwithstanding  its 
recoonized  faults  and  insufficiencies.  The  business  men  of  the 
connnunity  were  anxious  to  have  an  organ  which  might  aid  in 
correcting  e^ils  and  promote  the  town's  welfai-e.  There  is  no 
doubt  that  the  paper  did  a  great  deal  in  this  direction,  l)ut  it 
might  have  done  nmch  more  if  it  had  been  backed  by  sufficient 
capital.  It  was  an  impecunious  institution  from  the  start,  and 
never  succeeded  in  surmounting  the  obstacle  of  debt,  although  its 
facilities  were  greatly  imi)roved  Ijy  additions  of  type  and  material 
from  time  to  time.  No  injustice  is  done  to  its  founder  and  pub- 
lisher in  saying  that  a  lack  of  financial  management  has  been  the 
one  obstacle  encountered.  The  tone  of  the  paper  was  such  as 
to  meet  the  approval  of  the  fastidious.  It  always  sought  to 
advance  the  interests  of  the  town  as  a  whole,  without  regard  to 
the  prejudices  of  the  few,  and  it  advocated  its  pet  ideas  fearlessly 
and  without  favor.  Its  influence  could  never  be  bought,  but  its 
columns  were  alwaj-s  open  to  an}'  respectful  complainant,  or  to 
any  one  who  had  a  subject  of  public  interest  to  discuss.  On  the 
subject  of  schools  the  BeraJd  always  took  a  position  in  advance  of 
the  sentiment  of  the  community,  ridiculing  the  idea  of  putting  the 
high  school  on  wheels,  to  be  moved  here  and  there  at  the  beck  of 
some  agitator,  and  denouncing  the  action  of  the  town  in  returning 
to  the  district  s3-stem  after  its  condemnation  l)y  the  l)est  intelligence 
of  the  State.  In  pohtics  it  was  professedly  •■  independent,"  which 
in  the  opinion  of  the  editor  did  not  deny  him  the  privilege  of 
u 


130  HISTORY    OF    DOT^OLAS. 

writing  and  voting  with  the  RepnbUoan  part}'  if  he  saw  fit  to  do  so. 
In  times  of  lieated  political  contests  his  A-iews  were  sometimes 
fonnd  to  be  objectionable  to  his  Democratic  readers,  and  in  the 
Butler  cami)aigns  the  hostility  of  the  i)aper  to  the  General  as  a 
gubernatorial  candidate  won  the  ill  will  of  some  Republicans. 

Tlic  Hei'dld  was  started  as  a  local  paper,  and  its  object,  from 
first  to  last,  was  to  present  an  epitome  of  local  news,  and  to 
advocate  beneficent  measures  of  a  local  nature,  making  the  dis- 
cussion of  otlicr  matters  of  secondary  importance.  In  this  field 
it  was  a  success,  and  claims  only  the  credit  due  it. 

Since  the  publication  of  the  Herald  was  discontinued  in  East 
Douglas  the  following  publications  haA'e  been  issued  : 

In  1874  The  Advertiser,  a  monthly  sheet,  by  C.  J.  Batcheller. 

Our  Home  Journah  by  W.  D.  Bridge  &  Co.,  in  1877. 

In  October,  1877,  the  Encjrdver's  Proof-Sheet,  an  illustrated 
paper,  by  Wm.  A.  Emerson,  now  in  its  second  year. 

In  1876  a  volume  entitled  Practical  Iiistriicfioiis  /»  the  Art 
of  Wood  EiKjrariiKj.  In'  Wm.  A.  Emerson,  a  16-mo.,  ■)'!  pp.. 
illustrated. 

All  the  al)ove  were  pi"inted  at  the  ofifice  of  C.  J.  Batclieller. 


CHAPTER    XIII 


1)ou<;las  bands,  societiks,  etc. 


ERY  early  in 
the  history  of 
Douo-Uis  it  just- 
ly had  the  rep- 
utation of  be- 
ing a  musical 
town,  and  at 
the  old-fash- 
ioned musters  would  almost  invariably  be  represented  by  a  regu- 
larly organized  band  of  music.  The  tirst  association  of  this  kind  of 
which  we  have  any  account  was  composed  of  the  members  named 
below.  It  flourished  for  a  number  of  years,  and  Avas  in  existence 
as  early  as  1. SOU  :  Adolphus  Taft,  leader:  Col.  Ezekiel  Preston, 
l)ass  clarion  ;  Stephen  SoutliAvorth,  Jesse  Balcome,  Micah  Hill, 
Fuller  Marsh.  Dea.  Isaac  Gale,  James  Farwell,  John  Balcome, 
and  Joseph  Lee,  clarionet ;  Aaron  Marsh,  bassoon  ;  Ellis  Balcome, 
bass  drum.  Wm.  Hale,  Sam'l  Balcome,  David  Balcome,  and 
Benaiah  Morse  were  also  members  of  this  band,  though  we  are  not 
able  to  state  the  parts  assumed  by  them. 

The  second  band  of  which  mention  should  be  made  was  com- 
l)osed  of  ver}'  good  players.  The  first  seven  in  the  subjoined  list 
l»eiug  young  players  were  called  the  '-Steer  Band,"  and  the  .last 
six  the  ••  Ox  Team  ;"  Dorris  Taft.  leader  :  Homer  AVhipple.  bugle  ; 
Willard  Taft  and  Edward  Balcome,  clarionet ;  Jedediah  Balcome, 
fife ;  Joseph  Hunt,  snuill  drum  :  Austin  Packard,  bass  drum ; 
CuUen  Whipple,  bugle  ;  Justin  Whipple  and  Clark  Balcome.  clari- 


132  HISTORY    OF    DOUGLAS. 

onet ;   Lutlun-  Stone,   tife  ;  Siirauer  lialcoine,  small  drum  ;  Chester 
Morse,  bass  dniin. 

'•Ned  Kendall."  as  he  was  familiarly  called,  tigured  pronii- 
nentl}'  at  musters  near  this  time.  He  was  about  the  onl}'  person 
who  played  the  bugle  at  general  musters,  and  i-eceived  $10  per  day 
for  his  services,  liugles  were  then  made  without  keys,  and  Cullen 
Whipple  improved  his  by  making  finger-holes  at  the  bend  of  the 
horn,  by  which  he  secured  important  variations  in  the  tones  of 
this  instrument. 

A  few  years  aftei'wards  another  band  (also  under  the  leadership 
of  Don-is  Taft)  was  started,  of  which  David  Perry  of  Worcester 
was  the  teacher.  It  was  composed  of  the  following  members  : 
Willard  Taft.Francis  Taft,  Edwin  Moore,  Malvern  Wheeler,  Dudley 
Balcome,  Caleb  Legg,  George  Reynolds,  S.  W.  Heath,  Sumner 
Sutton,  William  B.  Amidon.  Homer  Whipple,  Ansel  Newton, 
Amasa  Coggeshall.  Austin  Packard,  and  Sunnier  Balcome. 

About  the  year  1840  this  band  gave  a  concert  at  Sutton  street, 
and  on  the  way  home  the  stage  conveying  them  was  upset. 
Homer  Whipple  had  his  shoulder  broken  and  his  bugle  thoroughly 
jammed,  and  Dudley  Balcome's  trombone  was  also  so  badly  broken 
and  jammed  as  to  be  deemed  worthless.  The  company  continued 
its  organization  onh'  a  short  time  after  the  accident.  Mr.  AVhipple 
turned  over  his  bugle  to  Dorris  Reynolds,  who  was  then  about 
fourteen  years  of  age,  and  he  was  so  successful  in  repairing  it 
that  it  was  rendered  highh'  serviceable  again.  After  practicing  for 
a  while  in  the  old  lower  axe  shops  at  Douglas  Center  he  was  rein- 
forced by  Clark  Balcome,  who  had  secured  the  loan  of  a  trombone, 
and  the  two  devoted  most  of  their  waking  hours  to  practice  —  often 
b}-  the  light  of  a  candle  far  into  the  night.  After  becoming  some- 
what proficient  in  the  use  of  their  instruments  they  made  their 
first  public  appearance  by  marching  in  solemn  procession  through 
the  streets  to  the  tune  of  "■  Yankee  Doodle."  Such  an  excitement 
did  this  arouse  in  the  \Tillage  that  a  mass-meeting  was  immediately 
called  at  the  vestry  of  the  Congregational  church,  and  a  band  was 
organized  with  Mr.  Amidon  as  leader  on  the  E  flat  bugle,  and 
Dorris  Reynolds  second  leader  on  the  B  flat  bugle.  The  following 
names  were  identified  with  this  band  :  H.  C.  Reynolds,  Isaac 
Balcome.  Jonah  Morse,  Lexi  Stoddard,  Gideon  Turner,  Peter  Bal- 
come, John  Gibson,   Mow-r^-   Lapham,  James   Balcome,    Warren 


DOUGLAS    BANDS,   SOCIETIES,    ETC.  133 

Balcome,  Augustus  Baleoine,  Samuel  Balcome,  Edwin  Balcome, 
Luther  Balcome,  Clark  lialcome,  Charles  Balcome,  aud  David 
Dudley. 

In  I808-I)  a  new  baud  was  formed,  with  A.  A.  Goodspeed  of 
Putnam,  Conn.,  teacher  ;  D.  T.  Reynolds,  leader,  aud  A.  F.  Jones, 
second  leader.  S.  N.  Jones.  N.  H.  Jones,  Amos  Steere,  Edward 
Thayer,  M.  M.  Luther,  Thomas  J.  Calden,  Henry  C.  Fitts,  W.  D. 
Balcome,  Stillman  Russell,  Bennett  W.  Thomas,  Charles  Whipple, 
Cornelius  Emmons,  Enoch  Converse,  and  Thomas  Southwick  were 
associated  with  them. 

lu  IHOl,  at  the  outlireak  of  the  Rebellion,  nearly  all  the  mem- 
bers of  this  band  enlisted.  Three  times  during  the  war  was  the 
band  reduced  and  again  filled.  It  retained  its  organization  until 
about  1870. 

In  1872  another  company  was  organized,  with  A.  A.  Good- 
speed  as  teacher,  D.  T.  Reynolds  leader,  A.  F.  Jones  second  leader, 
and  including  also  the  following  members:  George  W.  Spencer, 
C.  A.  W.  Spencer,  Arthur  Sutton,  Walter  E.  Cooke,  Frank  Young, 
Charles  Hall,  Westley  Metcalf,  L.  A.  Thayer,  C.  F.  Russell,  Still- 
man  Russell,  Nelson  Jepherson,  and  M.  M.  Luther.  This  band 
continued  its  organization  for  about  two  vears. 

The  present  flourishing  band  was  started  June  2,  1875,  with 
Dorris  T.  Reynolds  leader,  and  N.  H.  Jones  second  leader.  In 
April,  1876,  Mr.  Reynolds  resigned,  and  Mr.  E.  F.  Darcey  of 
Putnam,  Conn.,  was  chosen  leader  and  teacher.  James  H.  Bal- 
come, James  B.  Williams,  M.  M.  Luther,  F.  F.  Young,  L.  A. 
Thayer,  Nelson  Jepherson,  T.  O.  Muiphy,  C.  F.  Travis,  S.  P. 
Copp,  A.  D.  Bowers,  A.  E.  Sutton.  Chester  Williams,  Herbert 
W.  Jones,  George  I.  Hopkins,  Stillman  Russell,  Elmer  H.  Bal- 
come, Moses  H.  Balcome,  H.  E.  Boardman,  W.  P.  Hough,  W.  F. 
Young,  J.  R.  DarUng,  H.  W.  Sutton,  C.  F.  Russell,  Arthur  F. 
Jones,  H.  B.  Martin.  William  H.  Balcome,  and  Eli  Messier  con- 
stitute the  remaining  members. 

THE    DOUGLAS    LITERARY    SOCIETY 

was  organized  on  the  5th  of  October.  1875,  the  mutual  improve- 
ment of  its  members  being  the  object  contemplated  in  its  fonna- 
tion.  It  had  the  following  names  on  its  roll  of  members  at  the 
time  of  its  organization  :    Misses  Chandler,  Robbins.  Sibley,  and 


134  HISTOIIY    OF    DOUGLAS. 

miillipps;  li.  R.  Titus,  G.  B.  Southwick.  J.  E.  Cummings,  VV. 
F.  Amidon  and  E.  F.  Siblej'.  It  has  received  additions  from  time 
to  time  siuee  then,  and  now  has  twenty-six  members,  and  is  in  a 
nourishing  condition.  The  society  has  a  library'  of  about  one  hun- 
dred books  and  pamphlets,  and  its  funds  are  expended  in  replen- 
ishing the  library  almost  entirely.  There  is  a  great  amount  of 
talent  in  this  society',  and  its  public  entertainments  have  displa3'ed 
an  unusually  high  order  of  literary  ability. 

DOUGLAS    SOCIAL    LIBUAItY. 

On  the  8th  of  April,  1799,  the  Douglas  Social  Librar}'  Associ- 
ation was  formed,  with  Rev.  Isaac  Stone  for  librarian.  The  li- 
brary was  composed  of  standard  works,  of  which  a  full  list  is  not 
now  in  existence,  but  it  probably  contained  not  more  than  about 
sixt}'  volumes.  These  comprised  a  set  of  Rollin's  Ancient  History, 
Josephus'  "Works,  Winterbottom's  History  of  America,  Robertson's 
Scotland,  Edwards'  History  of  the  Reformation,  Goldsmith's  Eng- 
land, Marshall's  Life  of  Washington,  and  a  few  others  of  a  like 
nature.  The  fines  imposed  for  damages  done  to  the  books,  etc., 
were  rigidly  enforced.  It  may  be  well  to  note  some  of  these  :  For 
a  leaf  turned  down,  six  cents  ;  for  a  drop  of  tallow,  or  any  other 
spot,  six  cents  ;  for  a  tear,  or  writing  that  does  not  deface  the  read- 
ing, six  cents.  "  If  a  member  keeps  a  Ijook  out  over  two  ordinary 
months  he  shall  pay  a  fine  of  one  cent  per  day  until  returned.  Any 
person  that  doth  not  return  the  book  or  books  they  may  have  taken 
out,  at  least  four  hours  before  the  time  of  day  stated  for  the  annual 
meeting,  shall  pay  a  fine  of  twentj'-five  cents  for  such  neglect ;  and 
if  any  member  shall  lend  a  l)ook  out  of  the  company  they  shall  paj' 
a  fine  of  fifty  cents."  These  rules,  no  doul)t,  account  in  a  measure 
for  the  fine  state  of  preservation  in  which  the  books  are  found  even 
at  the  present  day.  On  the  10th  of  April,  1815,  Rev.  David  Hol- 
man  was  chosen  librarian,  l)ut  the  library  was  not  removed  to  his 
house  till  1825.  The  books  and  other  property  of  the  Association 
were  offered  at  public  sale,  and  the  proceeds  were  to  be  diA'ided 
among  the  members.  Not  finding  a  purchaser,  the  books  remained 
for  3'ears  with  Mr.  Holman,  and  all  who  cared  to  read  them  had 
full  liberty  to  do  so. 


DOUGLAS   BANDS,    SOCIKTlES,    KTC.  135 

UNION  LODGE,  NO.  88,  1.  ().  OF  O.  F. 

This  Lodge  was  instituted  March  10,  184(5,  continuing  in  ex- 
istence till  December,  1852.  Like  other  organizations  of  this  or- 
der, its  object  was  the  mutual  benefit  of  its  members.  The  sum  (^f 
$0  per  week  was  paid  those  sutfering  from  sickness  or  disabiUty. 
In  the  event  of  the  death  of  a  member  S30  was  paid  as  a  funeral 
benefit,  and  $15  on  the  death  of  the  wife  of  any  member.  A  con- 
tingent fund,  formed  l»_v  contril)utions,  donations,  and  the  intei-est 
arising  from  the  general  fund,  all  fines  collected,  and  also  one-third 
of  the  quarterly  dues,  was  held  by  a  board  of  trustees  for  the  wid- 
ows and  orphans  of  deceased  members.  A  widow,  so  long  as  she 
remained  sucli,  was  to  receive  $25  per  3'ear.  In  the  case  of  the 
orphans  or  children  of  deceased  members  the  trustees  were  to  en- 
deavor to  place  them  in  situations  where  they  might  earn  a  liveli- 
hood, and  also  obtain  an  education.  The  Lodge  was  quite  success- 
fully carried  on  until  its  disbaudment. 

The  charter  members  were  :  Dr.  Ezekiel  Wood,  Roj'al  Cum- 
mins, 8eba  Carpenter,  (xeorge  Reynolds,  Loren  C.  Munyau,  and 
George  Young.  In  connection  with  this  was  formed  an  Auxiliarj' 
Lodge,  composed  only  of  the  wives  of  Odd  Fellows,  and  called  the 
"  Daughters  of  Rebecca." 

HOW^AKD  LODGE,  NO.  119,  INDEPENDENT  ORDER  OF  GOOD  TEMPLARS, 

was  instituted  March  23,  1866,  with  the  following  list  of  officers  : 
W .  C.  T.,  WilliamH.  Moore  ;  W.  Y.  T.,  Sarah  F.  Abbott ;  P.  ^\. 
C.  T.,  Alphonso  Luther  ;  W.  S.,  Julius  D.  Whipple  ;  W.  T.,  Emma 
A.  Emmons  ;  W.  C,  Dea.  A.  A.  White  ;  W.  M.,  Frank  D.  Whip- 
ple ;  W.  D.  M.,  Mrs.  Frank  D.  Whipple;  AY.  I.  G.,  Mary  R. 
Williams;  AY.  0.  G.,  Loring  A.  Thayer:  AY.  R.  S.,Mrs.  J.  D. 
AA'^hipple  ;  AA^.  L.  H.  S.,  Mrs.  Emma  Converse. 

The  design  of  the  Order  was  to  be  progressive  as  well  as 
educational,  to  strive  to  reclaim  the  fallen,  and  to  throw  the 
right  influence  over  the  pure  and  virtuous,  that  they  might  never 
become  victims  of  intemperance.  Prohiliition  was  the  watchword 
written  on  its  banners  and  heartil}-  adopted  b^'  its  members. 

The  meetings  of  this  Lodge  were  for  several  months  held  in  the 
vestr}'  of  the  Congregational  church  in  East  Douglas.  The  place 
proving  at  length  not  large  enough  to  accommodate  its  increasing 
membership,  a  more  commodious  place  was  secured  in  the  build- 


13(3  HISTORY   OF    DOUGLAS. 

ing  at  the  corner  of  Cottage  and  Depot  streets.  From  that  time 
the  Lodge  steadily  and  rapidly  increased,  until  it  reached  a  mem- 
bership of  116.  At  its  meetings  the  imi)ortant  questions  of  the 
day  were  freely  discussed,  and  good,  efilcient  temperance  work 
was  done  b}-  many  of  its  devoted  members. 

On  the  .'ith  of  March.  IHfiT,  a  Degree  Lodge  was  formed,  in 
which  all  important  matters  for  discussion  or  in^^estigation  were  to 
be  considered,  l)y  which  more  time  was  secured  in  the  subordinate 
lodge  for  educational  and  preparatory  work,  and  much  time  was 
given  such  literary  exercises  as  were  calculated  to  interest  and 
benefit  the  young.  Its  spicy  debates  on  methods  of  temperance 
work  and  the  general  questions  of  the  da}'  will  long  be  cherished 
in  the  memories  of  its  members. 

The  Lodge  was  discontinued  Dec.  3,  1H70,  after  nearly  five 
vears  of  active  laboi-  in  the  temperance  field.  During  that  time  it 
accomplished  much,  although  it  might  have  done  vastly  more  had 
it  been  favored  with  the  sanction  and  support  of  all  good  friends 
of  temperance  ;  but  some  among  the  prominent  temperance  men 
in  town  were  unfavorable  to  secrecy  in  temperance  work,  and  op- 
posed the  movement  most  sincerely  but  persistently. 

MUMFORD    RIVER    LODGE,    A.   F.   AND  A.   M. 

A  dispensation  for  organizing  this  Lodge  was  granted  Jan.  25, 
A.  D.  1877  (A.  L.  5877),  and  the  charter  was  granted  March  13, 
A.  D.  1878  (A.  L.  5878).  The  following  were  the  charter  mem- 
bers :  A.  J.  Thayer,  W.  M.  ;  Noah  H.  Jones,  S.  W.  ;  John 
McArthur,  Jr.,  J.  W.  ;  William  H.  Moore,  Luke  Keith,  S.  D.  ; 
Marcus  M.  Luther,  Secretary ;  Preston  Goddard,  S.  8.  ;  J.  Fred 
Brown,  8.  ;  Nelson  Emmons,  Benj.  F.  Hodgdon,  C.  ;  AViUiam 
Abbott,  Treasurer  ;  Edwin  P.  Heath  ;  Stillman  Russell,  J.  D.  ;  John 
Robbins,  T.  ;  William  L.  Church,  Arthur  J.  Dudley,  Chilon  Hough- 
ton, Caleb  Hill,  Dorris  T.  Reynolds,  Aaron  F.  Jones  ;  Brigham 
Morse,  Merrill  A.  Woodard,  George  B.  Adams,  John  M.  Rawson, 
J.  8.  ;  George  Cleaveland,  M.  ;  Edward  F.  Darcy. 

For  a  short  time  the  communications  were  held  in  the  Band 
Hall,  afterwards  in  the  hall  in  Thayer's  new  building,  which  has 
been  leased  and  fitted  up  as  a  permanent  Lodge-room.  The  Lodge 
is  in  a  flourishing  condition. 


DOUGLAS    BANDS,    SOCIETIES,    ETC.  137 

THE    SOCIAL    UNION. 

Ou  the  29tli  of  October,  1875,  the  "  Social  Union"  (a  literary 
society)  was  organized,  and  meetings  were  held  in  Central  Hall 
through  the  winter  of  1875-76.  The  exercises  at  its  meetings 
consisted  of  music,  dramatic  and  other  readings,  dialogues,  dec- 
lamations, etc.  The  last  meeting  was  held  June  8,  187G,  and  the 
society  soon  after  dissolved. 

THE    DOUGLAS    LYCEUM. 

Like  most  New  England  towns,  Douglas  has  witnessed  the 
birth,  prosperity,  struggles,  decline,  and  death  of  a  local  L^'ceum. 
The  records  of  the  earlier  debating  societies,  if  such  existed,  are 
not  preserved,  but  in  the  fall  of  1872,  at  the  instigation  of  the 
High  School  teacher  and  several  active  young  men,  the  Douglas 
Lyceum  was  organized,  with  the  following  list  of  officers  :  President, 
A.  F.  Brown  ;  Secretaiy,  G.  W.  Spencer ;  Treasurer,  William  H. 
Moore  ;  Executive  Committee,  G.  F.  Stone,  G.  F.  Hutchins  and 
Dr.  Hamilton. 

A  constitution  and  by-laws  had  been  previously  framed  and 
adopted,  and  meetings  were  regularly  held  throughout  the  ensuing 
winter,  the  exercises  consisting  of  select  readings,  essays,  music, 
recitations  and  debates,  with  an  occasional  lecture  or  entertain- 
ment. The  meetings  were  held  in  Citizens'  Hall.  All  sorts  of 
questions,  poUtical,  theological,  philosophical,  simple  and  pro- 
found, were  discussed  b}'  the  citizens,  young  and  old,  with  the 
usual  incidents,  laughable  and  provoking  ;  and  the  influence  of 
the  Lyceum,  as  a  whole,  while  it  was  sustained  by  the  public,  was 
salutarv  beyond  question,  although  the  rulings  were  as  contradic- 
tory as  they  were  multitudinous  ;  and  although  some  personalities, 
such  as  will  almost  inevitably  be  indulged  in  at  a  popular  gather- 
ing, sometimes  occurred,  the  institution  was  successfully  and 
profitably  conducted  for  two  years.  Then  it  lost  some  of  its  ablest 
supporters  in  consequence  of  their  removal  from  the  place  ;  others 
began  to  neglect  their  appointments  and  also  the  meetings  ;  and 
although  it  existed  more  than  a  year  in  a  state  of  alternate 
revival  and  decline,  its  da}'  of  prosperity  was  over. 

In  the  fall  of  1875  Citizens'  Hall,  that  had  begun  to  look  like 
an  ancient  attic,  was  repaired  and  put  in  decent  shape,  and  also 


138  HISTORY    OP    DOUGLAS. 

painted  and  varnished,  and  furnished  with  seats.  Owing  to 
some  personal  feelings  and  prejudices  l)rought  to  bear  the  hall 
was  refused  to  the  executive  committee  for  Lyceum  purposes,  its 
managers  having  decided  to  let  it  only  for  singing-schools  and 
lectures,  and  some  few  other  general  objects  which  could  be 
and  were  made  to  cover  any  profitable  show,  from  acrobatic 
turnings  to  a  peace  jubilee.  The  Lyceum  could  not  very  well 
resolve  itself  into  a  society  for  the  promotion  of  psalmody,  and, 
disdaining  any  but  open  and  honest  measurers,  a  public  meeting 
was  called  at  the  old  Methodist  church,  for  the  purpose  either  of 
sustaining  the  Lyceum  and  providing  it  accommodations  or  of 
giving  it  a  decent  burial.  The  meeting  was  a  large  one,  and 
filled  the  church  to  overflowing.  A.  F.  Brown,  Esq.,  presided. 
Music  and  literary  exercises  were  given,  and  speeches  were  made 
concerning  the  managers  of  the  hall,  and  in  favor  of  sustaining  the 
Lyceum.  The  meeting  showed  plainly,  however,  that  the  days  of 
the  institution  were  numl)ered  ;  and  after  appointing  a  committee, 
whose  functions  practically-  were  those  of  the  bearers  at  a  funeral, 
nothing  further  was  or  has  been  done  for  its  revival. 

EAST    DOUGLAS    DISTRICT. 

Many  of  the  leading  and  public-spirited  citizens  of  the  village 
for  a  long  time  were  desirous  of  introducing  certain  improvements 
of  a  local  character,  such  as  sidewalks,  street  lamps,  etc.,  for 
which  it  seemed  a  little  hard  to  assess  those  outsiders  who  could 
be  expected  to  reap  but  little  practical  benefit  from  them.  The 
interest  in  these  rhatters  finally  reached  such  a  point  that  on  the 
evening  of  Nov.  30,  1874,  about  seventy-five  legal  voters,  residing 
within  the  limits  of  the  village,  assembled  in  Citizens'  Hall  and 
accepted  a  vote  which  had  been  passed  by  the  town  authorizing 
the  organization  of  a  Village  District.  The  authority  thus  con- 
vej-ed  empowered  them  to  maintain  street  lamps,  build  sidewalks, 
employ  watchmen,  organize  and  support  a  fire  department,  and 
various  other  things  contributing  additional  convenience  and 
security  to  the  citizens  as  well  as  to  the  outward  prosperity  of  the 
village.  On  the  18th  of  the  following  month,  acting  under  these 
provisions,  the  first  street  lamp  was  erected  by  William  H.  Moore 
and  E.  T.  Thayei-.     Others  speedily  followed,  and  since  that  time 


DOnOLAS    BANDS,    SOCIBXrES,    ETC,  139 

the  number  has  increased  to  twenty-nine,  so  that  the  village  is  now 
well  lighted.  The  plan  has  worked  successfully  thus  far.  and 
man}'  and  marked  advantages  will  undoubtedly  result. 

KAST    OOLULAS    MUSICAL    SOCIETY. 

The  Musical  Society  of  Douglas,  which  has  been  in  existence 
now  for  nearly  ten  years,  has  done  much  to  develop  and  edu- 
cate the  musical  talent  of  the  town.  On  the  loth  of  March,  186<S, 
a  permanent  organization  was  effected,  the  following  officers  being 
chosen:  President,  WilUam  Hunt;  Secretary,  G.  W.  Spencer; 
Treasurer,  Stillman  Russell ;  IMusical  Director,  John  C.  AV^aters  ; 
Pianist,  Miss  H.  A.  Ilutchins  ;  Directors.  A.  Butler.  A.  M.  Hill, 
and  Edwin  Moore. 

The  first  rehearsal  took  place  under  the  direction  of  Mr.  J. 
Astor  Broad,  now  of  AA'orcester,  and  on  the  18th  of  March  of  this 
year  the  society  gave  a  concert  in  the  Congregational  church  in 
East  Douglas,  in  which  they  rendered  Haydn's  '•  Creation." 
Subsequently  they  repeated  the  concert  in  Putnam  and  Webster. 
Aside  from  the  large  amount  of  miscellaneous  music  (much  of  it 
being  of  a  high  order)  with  which  the  societ}"  has  become  familiar 
since  its  organization,  they  have  performed  Root's  ''  Haymakers" 
for  two  seasons  in  Douglas  and  Upton,  and  also  Broad's  Cantatas  of 
"  Ruth"  and  ^  Joseph,"  the  former  publicl}'  rendered  in  Douglas 
and  Slatersville,  the  latter  in  Douglas  alone. 

The  societ}'  was  fully  represented  at  both  the  Peace  Jubilees  in 
Boston,  sending  forty  members  to  the  second,  and  devoting  a  whole 
season  to  preparation  for  it. 

Since  its  organization  the  membership  has  varied  from  fortv-five 
to  sixty.  It  has  been  the  dual  object  of  the  officers  of  the  society 
to  introduce  and  de^-elop  a  taste  for  the  higher  kinds  of  sacred  and 
other  music,  much  time  having  been  devoted  to  oratorios,  and  to 
encourage  the  development  of  the  musical  talent  of  the  young 
people  of  the  village.  In  both  directions  their  success  has  been 
marked  and  highly  commendable,  meriting  the  public  approbation 
that  has  alwaj's  attended  their  efforts. 

DOUGLAS    LIBRAJIY    ASSOCIATION. 

For  about  fortv  A'ears  the  association  known  as  the  Douglas 
Agricultural  Libraiy  has  had  quite  a  flourishing  history.     It  was 


140  HISTORY    OF    DOUGLAS. 

the  only  library  in  the  eastern  portion  of  the  town,  and  was  com- 
posed of  about  one  hundred  vohimes  of  strictly  agricultural  works  ; 
but  after  a  while,  to  supply  the  demand  for  a  more  general  course 
of  reading,  other  books  of  a  miscellaneous  character  were  added. 
The  library  retained  its  oi'iginal  name  and  organization  until  April 
10.  1^^6o,  when  its  proprietors  met  and  organized  themselves  into 
a  corporation,  under  the  name  of  the  ''  Douglas  Library  Associa- 
tion." Since  that  time  the  number  of  books  has  been  increased  to 
500  volumes.  The  library  was  removed  to  G.  W.  Spencer's  room 
in  the  post-office  building,  afterwards  to  the  office  of  the  Douglas 
Axe  Co.,  and  in  September,  1878,  to  the  present  location  in 
Thayer's  Block  on  Main  street,  a  central  location,  easy  of  access, 
and  well  patronized  by  the  reading  public. 

UNION    TEMPERANCE    SOCIETi'. 

At  a  public  meeting  of  the  citizens,  held  May  13,  1874,  the 
draft  of  a  constitution,  together  with  a  list  of  officers,  was  pre- 
sented by  a  committee  prcA-iousl}'  appointed  for  the  purpose  of 
aiding  to  organize  a  "Union  Temperance  Societ}'."  The  com- 
mittee consisted  of  Rev.  William  T.  Briggs,  Rev.  W.  M.  Hub- 
bard and  A.  J.  Thayer.  The  report  of  this  committee,  including 
a  pledge,  was  accepted,  and  a  list  of  officers  was  chosen  as  follows  : 
President,  Edwin  Moore ;  Secretary,  C.  A.  Hunt ;  Treasurer, 
Walter  E.  Cook  ;  Councilors,  Dea.  A.  Butler,  A.  F.  Brown,  J.  C. 
Hammond,  A.  J.  Thayer,  W.  D.  Jones,  Luther  Wing,  Mrs.  Ezra 
Jones,  Mrs.  AVilliam  T.  Briggs,  Mrs.  S.  Kelley,  Ro^yal  Keith, 
Luther  Hill,  and  Miss  Nancy  Hammond. 

The  constitution  proAided  for  an  annual  meeting,  to  be  held  on 
Fast  Day  of  each  year,  the  officers  having  the  authority  to  call 
special  meetings  whenever  it  was  thought  desirable. 

In  April,  1«77.  it  was  voted  that  the  society  hold  its  regular 
meetings  on  tlie  last  vSabbath  of  each  month,  alternately  at  the 
two  churches  (Methodist  and  Congregational)  in  East  Douglas,  and 
at  this  meeting  A.  J.  Thayer  was  chosen  president.  Through  the 
earnest  eff'orts  of  the  president  the  meetings  soon  assumed  unusual 
interest  as  well  as  profit.  They  were  well  sustained,  also,  and  did 
much  to  aid  the  cause  of  temperance  in  the  community. 

During  that  year  the  Reform  Club  movement  had  been  making 
great  progi-ess  throughout  the  State,  and  its  influence  was  felt  in  our 


DOUGLAS    BANDS,    SOCIETIES,    ETC.  141 

own  cominuiiity.  Several  of  the  active  temperance  men  in  town 
who  had  hitel}-  reformed  felt  that  there  ought  to  be  a  society  or- 
ganized with  especial  reference  to  this  new  phase  of  temperance 
work,  under  the  auspices  of  men  who  had  once  been  addicted  to 
the  use  of  intoxicating  licjuor,  and  the  organization  of  a  Reform 
Club  was  proposed.  As  it  did  not  appear  practical)le  to  attempt 
to  sustain  two  societies,  the  former  society,  although  in  a  flourish- 
ing condition  and  doing  a  good  work,  was  discontinued,  and  its 
officers  and  members  united  in  helping  to  organize  and  sustain  the 
Reform  Club. 

THE    EAST    DOUGLAS    REFORM    CLUB 

was  organized  May  1,  1«7H,  with  the  following  officers:  Presi- 
dent, Leonard  C.  Belding ;  Vice-Presidents,  W.  H.  Jones,  W.  D, 
Jones,  and  Timothy  Bernard  ;  Secretary,  C.  A.  Hunt ;  Treasurer. 
A.F.Jones;  Chaplain,  Fielder  Converse  ;  Executive  Committee, 
E.  Moore,  A.  F.  BroAvn,  C.  A.  Whipple,  Charles  Fairfleld,  and  H. 
C.  Metcalf. 

The  club  is  at  the  present  time  (1878)  in  a  prosperous  condi- 
tion, Avith  a  good  prospect  of  future  usefulness  before  it.  Its  pres- 
ident is  an  earnest  and  efficient  officer.  He  is  not  only  a  reformed 
man,  but  he  is  also  an  advocate  of  gospel  temperance  as  the  only 
true  basis  of  reform.  The  meetings  are  held  monthly,  and  are 
well  sustained. 


CHAPTER    XIV. 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND   GENEALOGICAL   DEPARTMENT. 


DOCTOR    WILLIAM    iJOlCiLA^. 


Doctor  \^'iLLLv>r  Doudi.AS.  after 
whom  tilt'  town  was  named,  was 
born  and  educated  in  Gitt'ord  Hall, 
East  Lothian,  Scotland,  receiAing  a 
}):irt  of  his  education  in  Paris  also. 
lie  came  to  America  while  quite 
young,  establishing  himself  in  Boston 
as  a  physician  in  171<S.  He  is  said 
to  have  been  '•  a  man  of  great  learn- 
ing, but  bigoted  in  his  opinions,  and 
ceremonious  in  his  treatment  of  those 
who  ditfered  from  him.  Although 
defeated,  he  could  argue  still ;  and  although  he  discovered  his 
errors,  he  would  not  readily  acknowledge  them.  To  none  of  them 
did  he  adhere  with  a  perseverance  so  unfortunate  for  his  reputation 
as  in  denying  the  propriety  and  etticacy  of  inoculation,  which  he 
vehement!}'  op})Osed." 

The  Boston  Eceniny  Post^  of  October  2;3d,  17.32,  in  announcing 
his  death,  speaks  of  him  as  ''a  physician  of  the  first  character  in 
this  town,"  and  adds  the  following  tribute  to  his  mental  qualities  : 
"His  superior  knoAvledge  in  the  different  branches  of  literature, 
especially  those  which  related  more  inimediatelv  to  his  profession, 
rendered  him  eminenth"  useful  to  the  public,  and  has  given  him  a 
distinguished  name  in  the  learned  world."  Among  the  works 
published  by  him  are  the  following:  "A  Summary,  Historical 
and  Political,   of  the  First  Planting,   Progressive  Improvements, 


BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL    DEPARTMENT.  148 

and  Present  State  of  the  British  Settlements  in  North  America  ; " 
three  essays  on  the  subject  of  '•  Inoculation  for  the  Small-pox  "  — 
the  first  two  in  1722,  and  the  last  in  1730;  and  a  •' History  of 
a  New  Eruptive  jVIilitary  Fever,"  which  prevailed  in  Boston  in 
1735  and  173().  The  first  volume  of  his  "  Sunmiary  "  was  pub- 
lished in  1739  ;  the  second  in  1753,  the  j^ear  subsequent  to  his 
death,  which  occurred  Oct.  21,  1752.  It  was  repubhshed  in  Lon- 
don in  1755,  and  is  said  to  have  "comprehended  a  vast  variety- 
of  information  on  almost  every  subject,  but  had  httle  of  the  method 
of  a  histor}-." 

Dr.  Douglas  was  ''an  attentive  observer."  writes  one  of  the 
chroniclers  of  his  day.  "  and  not  less  careful  to  treasure  up  the 
knowledge  he  acquired,  though  he  is  frequently  inaccurate.  He 
was  liberal  in  his  religious  opinions,  though  he  esteemed  Whitefield 
no  better  than  a  vagrant,  and  considered  the  revivals  of  religion 
which  occurred  in  New  England  as  mischievous  in  tendency.  He 
indulged  in  a  more  laudable  zeal  against,  and  contempt  for,  the 
paper  money  emissions  of  tlie  Americans,  in  his  strictures  upon 
the  government." 

Among  other  collections  which  he  made  in  natural  history,  it  is 
mentioned  that  "  one  of  them  contained  eleven  hundred  species  of 
plants  indigenous  to  America.  He  conmiunicated  to  Dr.  Mather 
a  volume  of  the  Philosophical  Transactions,  containing  an  account 
of  the  practice  of  inoculation  at  Constantinople,  which  led  to  the 
use  of  it  at  Boston  in  1721."  He  also  published  an  almanac  in 
1744,  under  the  name  of  ^  Mercurius  NovangHcanus  ;  "  and  of 
him  Dr.  Eliot  says,  "  he  wrote  man}-  political  essays  in  the  news- 
papers, wliich  were  generally  filled  with  satirical  remarks  upon 
the  magistrates,  the  clergj-,  the  physicians  and  the  people  of 
New  England." 

The  following  very  detailed  circumstances  attending  his  death 
and  funeral  ma}-  serve  to  give  something  like  a  fair  impression  of 
his  social  standing  in  the  community  at  the  time  of  his  death,  and 
also  of  the  funeral  customs  prevailing  a  century-  and  a  quarter 
since.  They  are  taken  from  a  letter  written  by  James  Gordon, 
Esq.,  an  intimate  friend  of  Dr.  Douglas,  to  Lieutenant  Martin,  to 
be  communicated  by  him  to  the  Doctor's  relatives  in  England  on 
his  (Martin's)  arrival  in  that  countr}* : 

"  About  1  o'clock  in  the  morning  (Oct.  21,  1752)  he  was  sud- 


144  HISTORY    OF    DOUGLAS. 

denly  taken  with  a  tit  of  asthma,  thereb}-  sutfocated,  and  was 
gone  before  any  physician  could  be  called  to  him,  or  any  of  his 
friends  or  intimates  at  the  house  where  his  boy  he  called  his 
adopted  son  lived,  kept  with  his  mother.  Upon  the  full  hearing 
of  this,  John  Ewing,  Esq..  Mr  John  Motiat.  and  I  met.  as  being 
his  most  intimate  acquaintances,  and  early  that  morning  applied 
to  the  judge  of  probate,  who  granted  us  administration  to  take  the 
keys  of  his  rooms,  etc.,  and  open  his  desk,  etc.,  and  search  for  a 
will,  which  Ave  did  in  presence  of  a  notary  public,  the  mother  of 
his  adopted  son,  and  some  creditable  persons,  but  we  could  find  none. 

''  There  was  found  that  morning  in  his  desk  a  kind  of  deed,  or 
gift,  executed  by  him  (about  the  time  Admiral  Knowles  commenced 
suit  against  the  Doctor,  and  caused  attachments  to  be  laid  on  all 
his  real  estate)  in  favor  of  his  said  adopted  son,  called  William 
Douglas,  of  all  the  furniture,  books,  papers  and  writings,  with  his 
negro  man  Abba,  which  paper,  or  deed,  is  in  the  custody  of  the 
child's  mother,  called  Mar}*  Brown. 

"  After  search  being  made,  and  finding  no  will,  we  ordered  a 
cottin  to  be  made  for  the  corpse,  and  to  ))e  removed  to  his  own 
mansion  house,  where  he  usually  lodged,  the  evening  following, 
which  was  Saturday  ;  and  on  Sunday  we  got  the  corpse  emboweled, 
as  it  was  represented  that  it  would  not  keep  till  such  time  as  was 
necessary  to  prepare  for  the  decent  interment  thereof,  during  which 
time  we  prepared  a  suit  of  mourning  for  his  adopted  son,  escutch- 
eons for  his  cottin,  and  hatchments  to  be  affixed  to  his  mansion 
house,  and  appointed  pall-bearers,  viz.  :  The  Hon.  Wm.  Dammer, 
Esq.,  late  Lieutenant-Governor;  the  Hon.  Col.  Paul  Mascareine, 
p]sq.  ;  the  Hon.  Josiah  Willard,  Esq.,  Secretary  to  the  Province  ; 

Thomas  Leechmer,  Surveyor-General;    Fairweather,  Esq., 

and  Mr.  James  Smith,  whom,  together  with  the  present  Lieutenant- 
Governor  Phipps,  and  the  Kev.  Messrs.  Welsted,  Gray  and 
Hooper,  with  us  three  and  the  adopted  son,  had  gloves,  rings  and 
escutcheons  ;  and  his  negro  was  put  in  mourning,  as  usual ;  and  as 
the  family  where  he  died,  viz.,  the  child's  mother,  grandmother  and 
two  sisters,  insisted  on  it,  it  is  proposed  to  give  each  of  them  a  suit 
of  mourning  and  rings,  which  we  were  obliged  to  promise  on  condi- 
tion the  family  would  not  appear  in  the  funeral  procession  as  chief 
mourners  or  relations,  which  the}'  pretended  a  right  to,  and  might 
revive  and  bring  scandal,  or  obstruct  the  procession  in  such  an 


bio(;raphical  and  genealogical  department.       145 

honorable  method  as  we  intended,  so  that  only  the  child  and  one 
of  his  aunts,  in  quality  of  waiting  maid  on  one  hand,  and  the 
negro  on  the  other,  wallced  first  after  the  corpse  ;  next  our  three 
families,  with  his  chief  intimates  and  acquaintances,  to  the  number 
of  about  fifteen  families,  as  mourners  ;  next  the  practitioners  in 
ph3'sic  in  the  town,  with  their  wives,  who  had  all  kid  gloves  ;  then 
all  his  tenants,  with  their  wives  and  children,  had  each  gloves  ;  and 
after  followed  promiscuously  a  large  number  of  people  of  note  and 
distinction,  by  whom  he  was  respected,  the  chief  of  whom  Avere  dis- 
tinguished b}'  having  gloves  sent  to  them. 

"  In  the  decentest  mani'.er  he  was  followed  by  the  above,  to- 
gether with  a  numerous  attendance  of  chariots,  coaches,  etc.,  from 
his  mansion  house  to  the  burying  ground  of  King's  Chapel,  where 
he  was  interred  in  a  brick  tomb  belonging  to  one  Mr.  Isaie  Dec""", 
an  intimate  friend  of  his.  So  far  as  we  have  proceeded,  and  at  all 
convenient  opportunities  we  are  in  search  of  a  will,  but  can  find 
none  as  yet  among  his  papers,  nor  can  we  hear  or  find  of  an}'  left 
in  the  hands  of  his  acquaintances,  tho'  in  his  hfetime  he  constantly 
averred  that  he  was  never  without  a  will,  and  seemed  to  reflect  on 
the  imprudence  of  those  that  neglected  it ;  and  yet.  we  cannot  so 
much  as  find  out  an}-  one  person  that  can  say  the}"  were  witnesses 
to  any  will  made  by  the  Doctor.  When  we  come  to  take  an  inven- 
tory of  his  papers,  etc.,  we  shall  make  a  more  diligent  search. 

"  As  I  am  not  acquainted  with  the  relations  of  my  dear  deceased 
friend,  I  give  you  this  account  that  you  may  inquire  for  them,  and 
acquaint  them  of  the  circumstances  relating  to  the  affairs  of  the 
Doctor  and  what  we  have  already  done.  And  as  you  are  well 
acquainted  with  all  these  our  proceedings,  and  other  circumstances 
relating  to  the  affairs  of  the  deceased,  you  will  oblige  us  and  the 
Doctor's  friends  in  communicating  them  to  the  nearest  relatives, 
that  proper  care  ma}*  be  taken  in  regard  to  the  estate  for  their 
interest  if  no  will  is  found.  And  you  may  assure  them,  on  account 
of  the  great  affection  and  esteem  I  always  had  for  the  deceased 
Doctor,  my  dear  friend,  I  shall  do  ever}-thing  in  my  power  to  serve 
his  heirs  or  their  representatives. 

"•  1  am,  dear  Martin, 

Your  most  affectionate 
(Signed)  James  Gordon." 

10 


146  HISTORY    OF    DOIKJLAS. 

This  writer  gives  tlie  vuluation  (j1"  tlic  Doctor's  estate  nt  the 
time  ofhis  death,  including  liis  property  in  Boston  and  in  llanipsiiire 
and  Worcester  counties,  with  his  books,  manuscripts  and  pampldets. 
;ind  his  negro  man  Abba,  at  £*2,!).')2.  Hon.  -loini  Ewing  was 
a[)pointed  administrator,  succeeded  by  Coiiielius  Douglas  of  Edin- 
l>urgli,   nephew  of  the  Doctor,  in  17oo. 

His  funeral  charges  included  three  dozen  men's  and  two  dozen 
women's  white  lainb  gloves,  at  £5  10s.  ;  eleven  dozen  gloves  "  for 
funeral,"  at  £20  (is.  ;  mourning  for  IMrs.  Orange's  two  daughters, 
£4:7  16s.  6d.  The  negro  man  ran  away,  and  for  "  taking  him  up" 
the  charge  was  10s.  8d. 

In  the  introduction  to  the  second  volume  of  his  "  8unnnarv. 
Historical  and  Political,"  the  author  has  the  following  pointed 
paragraph  referring  to  some  legal  troul)le  in  which  he  had  been 
involved  : 

' '  The  writer  of  this  historical  sunnnary  does  not  art'ect  a  studied 
elegancy.  Thisis  a  plain  narrative  of  incontestible  facts,  deliv- 
ered Avith  freedom  —  a  collection  or  coimiionplace  of  many  years' 
observations,  designed  at  first  onl}'  for  the  writer's  private  amuse- 
ment or  remembrance.  But  at  the  desire  of  some  friends  it  is  pub- 
lished for  the  Itenefit  of  the  public  and  for  the  use  of  future  histo- 
rians. Dens  nobis  haec  otia  fecit.  As  the  writer  is  independent. 
Iteing  in  no  public  office,  nor  ringleader  of  any  party  or  faction, 
what  he  w'rites  may  be  deemed  impartial.  If  facts  related  in  truth 
offend  any  magistrate,  governor,  commodore,  or  other  great  ottlcer. 
he  will  not  renounce  impartiality  and  become  cycophant." 

In  the  purchase  of  the  tract  of  land  bounded  on  the  Mendon 
Sherborn  Grants,  in  1723,  he  was  associated  with  Ha])ijali  Stn-age. 
Esq.,  John  Binning  (merchant),  William  T3der  Brazier,  Tyler 
Goldsmith  and  Benjamin  Bronldson.  The  tract  was  divided  into 
six  parts  on  the  20th  day  of  September.  1727. 

Doctor  Douglas  prepared  "A  Plan  of  the  Four  Governments 
of  New  England,  Showing  the  Townships  in  Each,"  from  actual 
survey.     It  was  published  in  London. 


BIOGUAI'HICAL    AM)    GENEALOOrrAL    DEI'A  IITMENT.  147 

Ct>LONi:L  KZEKIEL    PRESTON. 

Colonel  Piestou  was  tin  honest,  straiolitforward  man.  of  genuine 
business  al)ility.  He  was  square  in  all  his  dealings,  and  was  pos- 
sessed also  of  much  executive  talent,  together  with  many  singu- 
larly eccentric  traits.  Strictly  honest  himself,  he  admired  and 
encouraged  it  in  others.  His  likes  and  dishkes  were  exceedingly 
marked,  promptly  conceived,  and  as  openly  expressed.  In  his 
grist-mill,  and  indeed  in  every  place  where  he  had  control  or  su- 
pervision, the  influence  of  his  strong  and  pronounced  opinions  was 
felt.  He  would  not  allow  his  workmen  to  •'  even"  a  measure  of 
grain  with  their  hands,  hut  only  with  a  •*  straight-edge."  His 
motto,  often  expressed,  Avas,  "1  would  rather  grind  a  grist  toll 
free  than  take  a  kernel  too  nuicli." 

His  accounts  were  kept  in  an  open,  plain  hand,  *'debt"  and 
''  credit "  with  ever}'  man  :  and  in  making  his  charges  and  settling 
his  accounts  he  used  the  utmost  freedom  in  recording  on  his  books 
his  opinion  touching  the  person  with  whom  he  was  dealing,  whether 
from  casual  acquaintance  or  liased  on  longer  observation.  He 
alwa3's  enjoyed  a  good  joke,  however,  ev^n  when  it  was  at  his  own 
expense.  Generous  nnd  open-hearted,  he  was  always  ready  to 
respond  to  the  appeals  of  the  needy  or  to  reward  the  honest. 
When  he  left  home  foi'  the  Western  journey  detailed  below,  he 
settled  his  affairs  with  every  man  with  whom  he  had  an  account. 
except  one,  for  reasons  best  known  to  the  parties  interested. 

He  left  quite  full  records  of  the  views  and  feelings  which  his 
long-cherished  habits  of  observation  had  begotten,  and  we  feel 
tiiat  we  can  in  no  way  so  well  bring  out  what  sort  of  a  man  he  was 
as  to  let  him  appear  before  the  reader  in  tl»e  garb  of  his  own  wait- 
ings. The  tirst  extract  we  give  is  from  the  very  full  journal  of  his 
experience  as  a  traveler,  having  left  his  home  for  Columbus,  lud.  : 

May  7,  1H27,  2  o'clock  i'.  m.  —  •'  1  noAv  take  the  stage  at  my 
own  door,  to  go  to  Columbus,  county  of  Bartholomew,  State  of 
Indiana.  .  .  .  Went  that  night  to  Clark's  stage  tavern  in 
Ashford.  Conn."  He  reached  Hartford  the  next  day,  whence  he 
stalled  for  Albany,  riding  all  night  with  '.some  good  company  — 
some  awful  poor,'  but  got  along  very  well,  intirely  contented." 

At  ••Albaua"  (as  he  spells  Albany,  N.  Y.).  live  days  on  his 
journey,  he  writes  that  he  ''  enters  a  cannal-boat  —  what  they  call 


148  HISTORY   OF    DOUGLAS. 

a  "  Marchaut  Pilot   Line,"  at   one    and   one-half  cents   a   mile. 
Board  me  at  nineteen  per  meal." 

At  Auburn,  N.  Y.,  besides  visiting  the  State  prison,  he  "went 
with  Deacon  Boll  to  see  the  theological  seminary,  where  the}'  make 
ministers  !  They  had  sixty-five  of  them  on  hand,  part  done,  who 
looked  and  talked  very  well,  and  appeared  to  be  worth}' carrictors  ; 
and  no  doubt  the}'  were  !" 

May  17. —  "  Went  to  jail  in  Canandagua,  where  William  Mor- 
gan was  confined.  Went  all  over  the  jail  —  to  the  room  where  M. 
was  in.  Went  up  chamber,  and  spent  about  an  hour  with  Lawton 
and  Cheesbro,  Royal  Arch  Masons,  confined  in  jail  by  sentence  of 
the  court  —  Lawton  two  years,  and  Cheesbro  one  year.  Found 
all  Masons  I  conversed  with  spoke  well  of  those  two  in  prison. 
Found  the  people  in  that  place  have  different  opinions  respecting 
where  Morgan  is  gone  to.  .  .  .  They  say  he  was  a  dissipated 
fellow." 

The  following  shows  a  relish  for  a  good  joke,  always  one  of  his 
characteristics  : 

May  22.  (Near  Buffalo,  N.  Y.)  —  "  Went  to  Timothy  Whit- 
ing's, and  found  him  in  the  field.  He  didn't  know  me.  I  made  a 
prisoner  of  him.  He  asked  me  what  it  was  for.  I  told  him  for 
helping  others  kidnap  Morgan.  He  declared  he  was  innocent  — 
wanted  to  get  counsel.  .  .  .  Went  home  in  order  to  go  to 
Buffalo.  I  told  him  who  I  was,  and  gave  him  his  liberty,  and 
stayed  with  him  that  night.     I  think  Tim  is  doing  very  well." 

May  30.  (In  Pittsburg.)  —  .  .  .  "In  fact,  they  appear  to 
me  a  making  nearl}*  cAerything  in  their  works  go  by  steam,  from 
fire  made  by  coal  dug  out  of  the  ground  clost  by,  and  sold  to  them 
all  over  the  city  for  two 'and  one-half  cents  per  bushel ;  and  they 
say  that  one  bushel  of  that  is  worth"  two  of  coal  made  of  wood. 
Most  of  the  people  use  it  for  all  their  fires." 

June  4. —  "  Started  on  a  steamboat  down  the  Ohio  for  Cincin- 
nati. She  run  nine  miles  in  one  hour  —  struck  a  rock,  broke  in 
and  sunk.  They  stuck  in  their  old  clothes  as  well  as  they  could, 
pumpt  and  dipt  water,  but  to  no  purpose.  ...  Continued  on 
deck  forty-seven  hours  before  even  a  keel-boat  or  anything  suit- 
able came  down  the  river  that  I  could  go  forward  on  my  route," 

June  10  (Sunday).  —  "In  Wheeling,  O.,  went  to  a  very  good 
Methodist  meeting,  and  went  to  an  evening  meeting.     I  reconciled 


BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL    DEPARTMENT.  149 

myself  remarkably  well."  The  next  day  he  says,  "  One  place  on 
the  (river)  bank  they  bile  water  into  salt.  They  git  it  out  of  a 
hole,  they  say,  bored  in  the  ground  500  feet. 

June  13.  —  "Now-  I  say  I  was  wide  awake.  The  steanil)oat 
started  at  9  in  the  morning,  and  glad  was  I,  for  I  had  lost  11  days 
b}-  nnavoidable  disappointments.  .  .  .  Got  to  Merryetta  7  in 
the  evening.  The  boat  stopped,  so  dark  and  foggy,  till  morning. 
Slept  pretty  well  all  night  on  the  floor  by  putting  a  straw  each  side 
of  m}'  hip  bones."  The  second  day  after  this  he  says  the  Ijoat 
"  went  into  the  line  of  Contuckey  at  8  o'clock,  it  being  on  oiu-  left, 
Ohio  on  our  right." 

He  completes  his  journey  June  21,  in  forty-live  days'  time,  1,363 
miles,  at  a  cost  of  $32.27.  In  a  letter  to  Mrs.  Preston  he  expresses 
himself  much  pleased  with  the  countr}'  and  people  —  found  the 
societj'  there  far  lietter  than  he  had  any  idea  of,  and  said  if  he  was 
not  more  than  forty  years  old  he  would  sell  his  mills  and  move  out 
there.  He  often  said  if  he  could  have  one  acre  of  such  land  as  he 
found  there  in  Massachusetts  on  his  farm  he  would  give  $500  for  it. 

His  book  accounts  reveal  perhaps  still  more  strongly  his  peculi- 
arities, and  we  permit  a  few  of  these  also  to  speak  for  themselves. 
The  first  is  as  follows  : 

"  Dr.  Society  of  Mr.  Holman's  in  Douglas,  Cr. 

Paid,  in  1816,  a  town  tax  of  $326.34.     In  1817,  $320.59. 

A  correct  statement  of  incorrect  doings  in  Mr.  Holman's  Relig- 
ious vSociety  in  Douglas.  I  find,  under  No.  1  (there  folloAvs  here 
quite  a  tabulated  statement,  which  explains  his  allusions  to  "  No.  1,'' 
&c.),  names  of  people  who  were  taxed  for  preaching.  Under  No.  2 
for  1816  ;  nnder  No.  3  for  1817  ;  under  No.  4  either  gain  or  lost ; 
nnder  No.  5  for  what  sum.  At  the  very  time  Ezekiel  Preston's 
povert}'  was  increasing  equal  to  the  nnreasonable  tax  put  on  him 
at  that  time,  by  reason  of  the  destruction  of  cotton  factories 
wherein  he  was  gi-eatly  interested,  .  .  .  E.  Preston  was  con- 
stantly informing  the  society  that  he  was  overtaxed  in  proportion 
to  property,  and  begged  of  the  assessors  to  deal  honestly  with  him, 
and  he  would  continue  to  be  a  good  fellow  in  the  society,  and  if 
not  he  should  quit  them  ;  for  Preston  asked  Deacon  Balcome  why 
he  raised  his  tax  and  lowered  other  people's,  and  Balcome's  answer 
was  that  he  supposed  that  it  was  all  done  by  reason  of  the  fractions 


laO  HISTORY    OF    DOUCxLAS. 

ill  castinii' ;   and  tliis  was  all  the  information  1  could  git  out  of  liiui. 

David  D was  the  other  assessor,  and  I  never  considered  worth 

wliile  to  ask  //////  al)out  it  any  more  tlian   I  should  why  water  rnns 
down  hill." 

At  the  bottom  of  an  entry  in  his  ledger  frequently  occurs  his 
opinion  of  the  man  whose  name  he  records.     Thus;  in  July,  1824, 

he  closes  his  account  with  Old  P :   ''  Never  to.  lie  trusted  by 

me,  for  he  is  an  awful  lier  !"     ••  A  poor  old  fellow  !" 

Miss  Hannah  Thayer  fares  better  at  his  hands,  for  after  charg- 
ing her  with  money  paid  to  her  at  sundry  times,  he  adds,  ''  You 
came  to  live  in  my  family  —  sta3'ed  (>   weeks —  a   good  girl,  too." 

Not  so,  however,  with  another,  whose  account  current  ends  with 
•'3'ou  came  at  night,  .Tuly  2d  or  8d.  Your  time  is  all  out,  for  you 
are  a  good,  smart  girl,  but  at  the  same  time  you  are  not  worth 
keeping,  and  T  would  not  giA-e  you  your  board  for  all  your  unsteady 
w^ork."' 

The  next  one  has  this  for  her  ••  character  :  "  •'  You  came  to  live 
in  ray  family  Dec.  2!).  Left  off  after  working  7  weeks,  at  $1  per 
week.  All  settled.  This  moderate  child  did  not  earn  what  she 
had,  and  I  don't  want  her  any  longer  !" 

At  the  close  of  one  entry  an  account  running  eleven  years  is 
closed  with,  ''  very  well,  he  settled  like  an  honest  man,  I  found," 
leaving  ground  for  inferring  that  he  had  formerly  distrusted  him. 

"•  All  is  dead,  all  is  lost,"  finishes  another  account. 

Speaking  of  the  dirticulties  before  an  executor  in  settling  an  es- 
tate with  several  heirs,  he  writes,  "  it  is  impossible  for  him  to  give 
any  satisfaction  to  the  heirs,  for  they  want  that  which  is  as  desti- 
tute of  honesty  as  the  devil  is  of  holiness.  April  10.  182-.  I  do 
absolutely  write  the  above  on  principles  of  honesty,  knowing  their 

motives  and  doings  a  great  while." 

EzEKiEi.  Preston. 

Before  he  started  on  his  journey  to  Columbus  he  employed 
Lois  and  Fannie  Southward  to  make  him  a  suit  of  clothes,  and, 
after  enumerating  the  various  garments  made  up,  such  as  ''  a  good 
woolen  coat,"  a  "  pare  do.  pantaloons,"  adding  this  item  al)0ut 
their  making,  ''  good  wooling  and  cutting  all,"  he  says,  "  I  con- 
sider that  any  person  who  is  a  calculating  on  saving  his  propert}', 
and  not  too  full  of  foolish  pride,  will  git  their  clothes  all  cut  and 
made  by  these  very  .young  women  sewers.     Young  men  w^ho  fail  of 


BIOGRAPHICAL    AND   aENEALOCxICAL    DEPARTMENT.         151 

this  aiv  apt  to  have  to  Ixirrow  money  to  pay  men-tailors'  large  hills 
for  their  folly  ;  and  that  is  the  way  fools  are  always  poor  !"  A  good 
card  for  those  givls,  whatever  it  may  have  been  for  the  young  men 
of  that  day. 

An  account  with  another  man.  w^hich  has  written  at  the  bottom 
"'  all  settled  for  always."  is  supplemented  with  this  stinging  rKjta 
bene :  "•  Nothing  good  in  trading  with  a  man  who  has  been  a  pren- 
tice in  the  State's  Prison  !" 

Here  is  frankness  for  you.  in  earnest:  '' T  have    paid  Z 

,  for  spinning  the  mule  yarns,  and  I  do  really  think  he  has  ab- 


solutely wasted  in  weaving  of  it  half  a  ton  of  cops,  which  were  tan- 
gled ;  average  No.  12,  worth  84c.,  $940.80.  At  that  time  it  was 
worth  half  price,  as  above,  in  cash  —  $470.40.  And  I  am  thank- 
ful lie  did  not  waste  it  all.  for  that  would  have  been  a  little  worse 
yet.  ^y  He  don't  waste  his  own  yarn  so.  T  question  who  is  to 
be  trusted." 

John  N.  W is  posted  thus  :  ''Due  me  on  balance.  35c., 

Oct.  8,  1825.  This  evening  you  was  drowned  —  Oct.  8.  1825. 
Settled." 

E C is  credited  "  by  discount  in  full.  1.84.     E 

is  a  very  honest  fellow,  but  he  is  not  to  blame  for  tliat.     He 


would'nt  be  if  he  could  help  it !" 

After  having  recorded,  "•  settled  all  accounts  between  us,  and 
made  even,  fidly  to  our  satisfaction  — Amen  "  (a  frequently  occur- 
ring finality  in  his  ledger) ,  after  both  signatiu'es  he  appends  this  : 
"•  He  is  a  mean  man.  No  more  trade  with  you!''  This  seems 
hardly  fair,  in  view  of  the  explicit  assertion,  just  before,  of  fifU 
satisfaction  to  both  parties,  and  modifies  not  a  little  tlie  force  of 
the  anunadversions  in  which  he  indulges  so  profusely. 

P T is  both  "  Dr."  and  "  Cr.,"  but  no  items  given. 

Then  this  is  appended  :  "  All  settled  for  always." 

This  singular  man  liuilt  a  tomb  in  the  Douglas  Center  burying 
ground,  the  top  or  roof  of  which  consisted  of  a  single  granite  slab. 
It  was  taken  from  a  ledge  in  Uxbridge,  and  was  so  heavy  that 
twenty-five  pairs  of  oxen  were  required  in  hauhng  it  to  its  destina- 
tion. 

Colonel  P.  was  always  very  mucli  interested  in  military  displays. 
It  is  related  that  a  general  muster  took  place  in  Uxbridge  on  a  cer- 
tain occasion,  of  which  he  took  the  principal  direction,  and,  accord- 


152  HISTORY   OP   DOUGLAS. 

ing  to  the  testiraoii}'  of  some  witnesses  now  living,  it  came  near  being 
a  very  grave  affair.  Early  in  the  morning  of  the  appointed  day  a 
company  of  Indians  (white  men,  in  full  Indian  costume  and  full}^ 
armed)  were  drawn  up  in  line  before  the  Preston  Mill,  at  the  Lower 
Village,  for  inspection,  and  also  to  be  instructed  in  the  part  the}' 
were  to  take  in  the  rare  proceedings  of  the  day.  After  passing  a 
bucket  of  "black  strap"  along  the  line,  of  which  the  men  partook 
quite  freely,  they  were  marched  b}-  the  old  pike  to  the  scene  of  action, 
and  took  their  stand  in  a  thick  belt  of  woods  on  the  hill  overlooking 
the  spring  tavern  and  the  adjoining  fields,  where  the  militar}'  were 
going  through  their  maneuvers.  At  a  given  signal  the  Indians 
made  a  sudden  attack  upon  the  militia,  swooping  down  upon  them 
with  violent  gesticulations  and  contortions  of  the  body,  accompa- 
nied with  screams  and  yells  in  imitation  of  the  Indian  war-whoop, 
gi\'iug  the  whole  scene  the  appearance  of  a  terrible  reality  rather 
than  a  farce,  especially  to  many  if  not  all  of  those  who  were  unfor- 
tunately in  the  ranks  of  the  militia.  All  parties  were  soon  engaged 
in  a  hand-to-hand  combat,  and  in  the  very  midst  of  the  heat  and 
excitement  of  the  struggle  a  bucket  of  red  paint  was  dextrously 
poured  over  the  Colonel's  white  charger.  Soon  the  rumor  that 
"  his  horse  had  been  shot"  passed  from  one  to  another  through  the 
now  thoroughl}'  excited  crowd  of  spectators,  and  the  whole  scene 
became  one  of  the  wildest  imaginable,  —  but  little  short  of  what 
would  have  ensued  had  it  been  indeed  a  repetition  of  what  has 
often  in  New  England  history  proved  a  fearful  realitj'. 

Whether  in  the  warlike  group  of  Indians  there  were  some  who 
had  old  grudges  to  avenge,  or  whether  the  generous  potations  of 
fire-water  had  made  the  men  quite  uncontrollable  in  their  frenz}', 
is  not  known  ;  but  it  is  well  known  that  it  required  the  most  active 
exertions  of  the  officers  to  prevent  the  affair  from  taking  on  a  most 
sanguinary  character.  Colonel  Preston  enjo^'ed  the  scene  to  the 
fullest  possible  extent,  under  the  cii'cumstances,  and  had  the  pleas- 
ure at  its  close  of  footing  the  bill  of  expenses,  depleting  his  pocket- 
book  to  the  extent  of  $400  at  least. 


BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL    DEPARTMENT.  1-53 

GENEALiOaV    OF   THE    HILL    FAMILY. 

A  MR.  JOHN  HILL,  blacksmith  bj'  trade,  was  one  of  the 
earl}'  settlers  of  Plymouth  Colon}-,  for  in  the  year  1632  he  was 
named  among  those  to  whom  Governor  Bradford  offered  to  give 
a  dismission.  He  was  in  Dorchester  in  1633,  became  a  member  of 
the  Boston  Artillery  Compan}-,  and  died  in  the  3'ear  1664.  His 
wife's  name  was  Frances. 

CHILDKEN. 

1.  John  Hill  2d. 

2.  Frances,  m.  Austin. 

3.  Jona. 

4.  Mary,  m.  Thomas  Breck. 

5.  Samuel,  b.  1640. 

6.  Hannah,  b.  1641  ;  m.  Fisher. 

7.  Mercy,  b.  1642. 

8.  Ebenezer. 

JOHN  HILL  2d.     His  wife's  name  was  Hannah. 

CHILDREN. 

1.  Samuel. 

2.  Abagail,  b.  Feb.  2,  1658  ;  m.  James  Adams. 

3.  John,  b.  Feb.  2,  1661. 

4.  Maria,  b.  Oct.  28,  1662. 

5.  Eleazer,  b.  June  29,  1864. 

6.  Ebenezer. 

SAMUEL  HILL,  son  of  John  Hill,  2d  and  3d  generation,  mar- 
ried Hannah  Twitchell  Nov.  4,  1679. 

CHILDREN. 

1.  Samuel,  b.  Nov.  IS,  1680  ;  d.  Dec.  30,  1680. 

2.  Samuel,  b.  March  29,  1682. 

3.  Sarah,  b.  March  7,  1684. 

4.  Ephraim,  b.  Nov.  5,  1688.     The  first  settler  of  Douglas. 

5.  Jona,  b.  Nov.  6,  1691. 

6.  Maria,  b.  July  15,  1696. 

7.  Hannah,  b.  — . 

8.  Dorothy,  b.  July  18,  1698. 

9.  Lydia,  b.  May  3,  1701. 
10.  Rachel,  b.  Dec.  12,  1703. 


154  HISTORY    OF    DOUGLAS. 

JOHN  HILL,  son  of  John  Hill,  '2d  and  3d  generation,  married 
Hannah  Rockkt. 

CHILDREN. 

1.  John. 

2.  Aaron. 

3.  Hannah,  h.  Aug.  9,  1702  :  ra.  William  Mann. 

4.  Sarah,  b.  Nov.  11,  170.5  ;  m.  Morse. 

5.  Samuel,  b.  Aug.  11,  1710. 

6.  James,  b.  March  3,  1712  ;  d.  May  11,  1729. 

ELEAZER  HILL,  son  of  John  Hill.  2d  and  3d  generation, 
married  Sab  ah. 

CHILDREN. 

1.  Eleazer,  physician,  b.  Jan.  1,  1G88  :  drew  53  acres  of  lahd 

in  Douglas. 

2.  Sarah,  b.  Nov.  30,  1G90. 

3.  Solomon,  b.  Dee.  27.  1691;  drew  33  acres  of  land  in  Doug- 

las. 

EBENEZER  HILL,  son  of  John  Hill,  2d  and  3d  generation, 
married  first  Mary,  and  after  her  doatli  Sarah. 

CHILDREN. 

1.  Ebenezer,   b.  March  2,  1092;  drew  lands  in   Douglas  as 

El)enezer,  Jr. 

2.  Nathaniel,  b.  Dec.   25.  1693  ;  drew  lands  in  Douglas  ;  d. 

March  10,  1774. 

3.  David,  h.  June  15.  1695;  drew  lands  in   Douglas  in  the 

year  1730. 

4.  Moses,  b.  March  30,  1699  ;  drew  lands  in  Douglas  by  2d 

wife. 

5.  Joseph,  b.  April  1,  1701. 

6.  Isaac,  b.  Feb.  28,  1704. 

7.  Lydia,  b.  Nov.  30,  1706. 

8.  Judith,  b.  June  3,  1710. 

EPHRAIM  HILL,  son  of  Samuel  Hill  and  his  wife  Hannah 
TwiTCHELL,  and  tlie  4th  generation,  married  Hannah  Sheffield 
June  15,  1715. 


BIOORAPHTCAL    AND    GENEALOrxTCAL    DEPARTMENT.  155 


CHILDREN. 

1.  Caleb,  1).  May  28,  171G  ;  in.  Hannah 

2.  Elizabeth,  b.  .June  10,  1719. 
8.     Hannah,  Feb.  4,  1725. 


Deaths  of  Ephraim's  childrcMi.  nnd  their  wives'  or  husbands' 
deatlis  : 

1.  Caleb  Hill  d.  Mareh    2o.  17SS;  Hannah   Hill   d.  Fel).  17. 

17fi4. 

2.  EUzabeth,  d.  — . 
8.     Hannah,  d.  — . 

Duriuo-  the  time  that  elapsed  between  the  settlement  of  Ciipt. 
Ephraim  Hill  in  New  Sherborn,  in  1721,  and  the  incorporation  of 
the  town  of  Douglas,  in  1746,  there  are  not  fonnd  an}'  public  or 
private  genealogical  records  :  but  I  find  in  the  records  of  Douglas, 
after  its  incorpoi'ation,  much  evidence  confirming  the  belief  that 
Ephraim  Hill  had  a  number  of  sons  besides  Caleb.  Ephraim  Hill, 
Jr.,  Job  Hill.  David  Hill  and  Daniel  Hill  w^ere  his  coevals.  In 
the  histor}'  of  the  town  of  Sherborn  Ephraim  Hill  is  recorded  as 
the  first  settled  inhabitant  in  Douglas.  Tlie  truth  of  the  assertion, 
"  Ephraim  Hill  was  the  first  settler  of  Douglas,"  is  demonstrated 
by  the  records  of  ' '  the'  Proprietors "  of  a  grant  of  land  to  the 
town  of  Sherborn  l\v  tlie  (xeneral  Court  of  Massachusetts  Bay, 
which  will  be  found  under  the  extracts  in  the  enrly  chapters  of 
this  volume  from  the  records  of  Sherljorn. 

Capt.  Ephraim  Hill  filled  many  offices  of  trust  in  the  town,  and 
died  April  l<sth.  1760,  at  the  age  of  72  years,  and  his  widow  Han- 
nah Hill  died  in  the  year  1788,  aged  92  years.  Their  last  residence 
was  in  a  small  house  a  few  rods  north  of  the  house  in  which 
Ephraim's  great-great-grandson  Caleb  now  resides. 

CALEB  HILL,  oth  generation,  son  of  Ephraim  and  Hannali 
his  wife,  married  Hannah . 

CHILDREN. 

Bethiah  Hill.  b.  March  81,  1742. 

James  Hill.  b.  Sept.  22,  1744;  m.  Dorothy  Learned. 

Caleb  Hill.  Jr..  b.  Oct.  ;',,  1746  :  m.  Elizabeth  AAliitney. 

Aaron  Hill,  b.  Aug.  30,  1750. 

Amos  Hill,  b.  Nov.  11,  1752. 


156  HISTORY   OF    DOUGLAS. 

Moses  Hill,  b.  Aug.   17,  1757;  m.  Dinah  Robinsou,  b.  March 

30,  1759. 
Abagail  Hill,  b.  Aug.  14,  1759. 
Azubah  Hill,  b.  Aug.  29,  1761. 

Date  of  death  of  Caleb  Hill's  children,  also  of  husbands'  or 
wives'  deaths  : 

Bethiah  Hill,  d.  — . 

James  Hill,  d.  — ;  Dorothy  Hill,  d.  — . 

Caleb  Hill,  Jr.,  d.  —  ;  Elizabeth  Hill,  d.  — . 

Aaron  Hill,  d.  March  24,  1818. 

Amos  Hill,  d.  Oct.  22,  1756. 

Moses  Hill,  d.  Sept.  1,  1800  ;  m.  Dinah  Hill,  d.  Aug.  16,  1851. 

Abagail  Hill,  d.  — . 

Azubah  Hill,  d.  — . 

Capt.  Caleb  Hill  was  one  of  the  leading  men  in  the  manage- 
ment of  town  business,  conscientious  in  his  intercourse  with  his 
fellow  men,  and  a  consistent  member  of  the  Congregational 
Church,  occupying  the  office  of  deacon  for  thirt}'  years.  He  was 
an  innholder  from  his  early  days,  and  built  and  occupied  the 
house  as  a  hotel  where  his  great-gi'andson  Caleb  Hill  resides  at 
the  present  time. 

LIEUT.  MOSES  HILL,  6th  generation,  was  the  son  of 
Capt.  Caleb  Hill  and  his  wife  Hannah. 

CHILDREN. 

1.  Azubah  Hill,  b.  May  20,  1781 ;  m.  Benjamin  Craggin,  b. 

March,  1772. 

2.  Caleb  Hill,  b.  Oct.  30,  1783  ;  m.  Lydia  Marsh,  b.  March 

21,  1788. 

3.  Lucinda  Hill,  b.   Oct.   2,   1785  ;  m.   Silas  Cummings,  b. 

,  1783. 

4.  Micah  Hill,  b.   Sept.  27,   1787  ;  m.  Sally  Marsh,  b.  Feb. 

13,  1792. 

5.  Submit  Hill,  b.  March  3, 1790  ;  m.  John  Dudley,  b.   Sep- 

tember 1790. 

6.  James  Hill,  h.  Oct.  26,  1792  ;  m.  Sally  H.  Burden,  b.  May 

7,  1796. 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   DEPARTMENT.  157 

7.  Benjamin  C.  Hill,  b.  Aug.  15,  1794  ;  m.  Dorothy  Dudley, 

b.  March  29,  1801. 

8.  Paris  Hill,  b.  Sept.  8,  1796  ;  m.  Sarah  Chapin,  b.  Jan.  21, 

1806. 

Date  of  deaths  of  Lieut.  Moses  Hill's  issue,  and  to  whom  mar- 
ried : 

1.  Azubah,  d.  Ma}-  12,  1837;  Benjamin  Craggin,  d.  Nov.  4, 

1851. 

2.  Caleb,  d.  May  28,  1851  ;  Lydia  Hill,  d.  Jan.  13,  1875. 

3.  Lucinda,  d.  Dee.  1,  1862  ;  Silas  Cummings,  d.  Ma}'   18, 

1847. 

4.  Micah,  d.  June  20,  1836  ;  Sally  Hill  (living). 

5.  Submit,  d.  Aug.  13, 1864  ;  John  Dudley,  d.  April  29, 1877. 

6.  James,  d.  April  17,  1872  ;  Sally  H.  Hill,  d.  May  8,  1849. 

7.  Benjamin  C,  d.  Feb.  23,  1851  ;  Dorothy  Dudley,  d.  — . 

8.  Paris,  d.  March  2,  1877  ;  Sarah  Hill,  d.  — . 

MICAH  HILL,  7th  generation,  son  of  Lieutenant  Moses  and 
his  wife  Dinah,  married  Sally  Marsh  in  the  3'ear  1809. 

CHILDREN. 

1.  Moses  Hill,  b.  March  17,  1810  ;  m.  Charlotte  Taft  Blush, 

b.  May  14,  1809. 

2.  Aaron  Marsh  Hill,  b.  Sept.  4,  1812  ;  m.  Loiezer  Lydia  Em- 

erson, b.  Feb.  28,  1819. 

3.  William  Robinson  Hill,   b.  Feb.  10,  1815  ;   m.  Emely  B. 

Wheelock,  b.  July  21,  1816. 

4.  Micah  Hill,  Jr.,  b.  Feb.  6,  1817. 

5.  Paris  H.  Hill,  b.  June  15,  1818. 

6.  Luther  Hill,  b.  Feb.  25, 1824  ;  m.  Mary  Jane  Carr,  b.  Sept. 

8,  1833. 

7.  Calvin  B.  Hill,  b,  March  5,  1827  ;  m.  Laura  Ann  Beasom, 

b.  May  6,  1835. 

8.  Sarah  Elizabeth  Hill,  b.  Oct.  11,  1831. 

Date  of  deaths  of  Micah  and  Sally's  issue  ;    also  of  their  hus- 
bands' or  wives'  deaths  : 

1.  Moses,  d.  April  9,  1869  ;  Charlotte,  d.  — . 

2.  Aaron  M.,  d.  —  ;  Loiezer  L.,  d.  — . 

3.  William  R.,  d.  — ;  Emely  B.,  d.  — . 


158  HISTORY    OF    1)0Q(;LA8. 

4.  Micah.  d.  Feb.  l(i.  1817. 

5.  Puris  H.,  (1.  — . 

6.  Luther,  d.  —  ;  Maiy  Jane,  d.  — . 

7.  Calvin  li..  d.  —  ;  Laura  Ann.  d.  — . 
H.  Sarah  E.,  d.  Sept.  5,  1833. 

MOSES  HILL,  -Sth  generation,  oldest  son  of  Micah  and  Sally, 
married  CHAiiLoxTE  Taft  Blush  May  1',  1832. 

CHILBKEN. 

1.  Marion  Eliza,  b.  May  ly,  1833. 

2.  Clara  Malora,  b.  Jan.  30,  1841. 

3.  James  Brainard,  b.  June  11,  1843. 

4.  WiUiam  Clark,  I).  March  7,  1846. 

5.  William  Brainard,  Nov.  28,  1850. 

Date  of  death  of  Moses'  and  Charlotte's  issue  ;  also  of  hus- 
bands' or  wives'  deaths  : 

1.  Marion  E.,  d.  — . 

2.  Clara  M..  d.  Oct.  14,  1842. 
:5.  James  B.,  d.  April  12.  1847. 
4.  William  C,  d.  Aug.  1,  1848. 
.").  William  Brainard,  d.  — . 

AARON  MARSH   HILL,  8th  generation,  son  of  Micah  and 
Sally,  nuirried  Loiezer  L.  Emerson  May  1,  1837. 

CHILDKEN. 

1.  Christiania  Sarah,  b.  June  28,  1838;  Arthur  James  Dud- 

ley, b.  May  7,  1839. 

2.  Marietta  Sophia,  1).  June  17,  1841. 

3.  Channc;ey  Rice,  b.  Aug.  20,  1844. 

4.  Francclia  Luvan,  b.  Nov.  30,  1847. 

5.  Henry  Aaron,  Oct.  22,  1849. 

Date  of  deaths  of  Aaron  M.  and  Loiezer  L.'s  issue  ;  also  of 
husbands'  or  wives'  deaths  : 

1.  Christiania  S.,  d. — . 

2.  Marietta  S.,  d.  July  17,  1842. 

3.  Chauncey  R.,  d. — . 

4.  Francelia  L.,  d.  Oct.  5,  1848. 

5.  Henry  A.,  d.  Nov.  23,  1849. 


BIOGUAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL    DEPARTMENT.  169 

WILLIAJM  R.  HILL,  8th  generation,  son  of  Micali  and  iSally, 
niaiTied  E.mely  B.  Wheelooic  May  21,  l«o'J. 

CHILDKEN. 

1.  Caroline  Wheelock,  b.  May  15,  l.S4(). 

2.  Laura  Ann  Fisk,  b.  Jan.  G,  1842. 

3.  Eniely  Frances,  b.  March  4,  1847. 

4.  Ellen  Agnes,  b.   Oct.  1,  1848  ;    m.    All)ert   L.    Fisher,  b. 

March  10,  184G. 

Date  of  deaths  of  William  R.  and  Emely  B.'s  issue  ;  also  of 
husbands'  or  wives'  deaths  : 

1.  Caroline  W.,  d.  —  . 

2.  Laura  Ann  F.,  d.  Oct.  26,  1842. 

3.  Emely  F.,  d.  July  25,  1847. 

4.  Ellen  Agnes,  d — .. ;  Albert  L.  Fisher,  d.  — . 

FARIiS  H.   HILL,   8th  generation,  son  of  Micah  and  Sally, 
unmarried. 

LUTHER  HILL,   8th  generation,   son   of  Micah  and    Sally, 
married  Mary  Jane  Carr  Oct.  14,  1857. 

CHILD11EIS-. 

1.  Sarah  Elizabeth,  b.  Feb.  3,  l85!J. 

2.  Laura  Jane,  b.  Nov.   I'J,  18(;(). 

Date  of  deaths  of  Luther  and  Mary  J. 's  issue  ;  also  of  husbands' 
or  wives'  deaths : 

1.  Sarah  E.,  d.  Feb.  20,  1859. 

2.  Laura  J.,  d.  —  . 

CALVIN  B.  HILL,  8th  generation,   son  of  Micah  and  Sully, 
married  Laura  Ann  Beasom  Nov.  12,  1856. 

CHILDKEN. 

1.  WiUiam  Beasom,  b.  Feb.  7,  1858. 

2.  Clara  Baldwin,  b.  March  9,  1862. 

Date  of  deaths  of  Calvin  B.  and  Laura  A.'s  issue : 

1.  William  B.,  d.  Sept.  26,  1877. 

2.  Clara  B.,  d.  March  9,  1866. 


160  HISTORY    OF    DOUGLAS. 

CIIIUSTIANIA  S.  HILL,  'Jth  generation,  daughter  of  Aaron 
M.  and  Loiezer  L.,  married  Arthur  James  Dudley  Nov.  12,  1861. 

CHILDREN. 

1.  Walter  John  Hill  Dudley,  b.  Aug.  23,  1862. 

2.  Guilford  Chauncey  Dudle}^  b.  ]March  5,  1864. 

3.  Robert  Arthur  Dudley,  b.  Feb.  23,  1867. 

4.  Loiezer  Eliza  Dudley,  March  7>  1870. 

5.  Ralph  Edward  Dudley,  b.  April  20,  1876. 

Date  of  death  of  issue  of  Arthur  J.  and  Christiania  S.,  also 
those  of  their  husbands  or  wives  : 

1.  Walter  J.  H.,  d. —. 

2.  Guilford  C,  d. —. 

3.  Robert  A.,  d.  — . 

4.  Loiezer  E.,  d.  — , 

5.  RalphE.,d.  — . 

JAMES  HILL,  of  the  6th  generation,  son  of  Caleb  Hill,  was 
born  Sept.  22,  1744,  and  married  Dorothy  Learned  about  1768. 
The  following  were  their  issue  :  Bethiah,  born  Jan.  2H,  1770,  and 
married  Mark  Dodge,  of  Dudley.  2d.  Ebenezer,  born  Nov.  22, 
1771  ;  married  Betsey  Whitemore.  3d.  Jerusha,  born  Aug.  1, 
1773,  and  married  Anthony  Butler.  About  the  year  1774  the 
family  moved  to  Dudley,  Mass.,  where  six  more  children  were 
born  (but  their  births  are  not  recorded) ,  as  follows  :  4th.  Debora, 
who  married  Anthony  Butler  for  his  second  wife.  6th.  Doroth}', 
who  married  David  Freeman,  of  Webster.  6th.  James,  who  mar- 
ried Betse3'  Kingsbury.  7th.  Ruth,  who  married  Esek  Chase,  of 
Douglas.  8th.  Tryphena,  who  married  Abel  Da\'is,  of  Oxford. 
9th.  Barnabas,  who  married  Abigail  Kingsbur}'.  Ebenezer  Hill 
died  Oct.  16, 1852,  and  his  wife  Betsey  May  10,  1854. 

The  following  are  the  children  of  Ebenezer  Hill  and  his  wife 
Betse}',  who  are  the  7tli  generation  :  1.  James  Hill,  born  Dec.  14, 
1795,  died  Jan.  29,  1875,  aged  79  years  1^  months.  2.  Wil- 
liam Hill,  died  Sept.  18, 1866,  age  67  years.  3.  Betsey  Hill,  born 
Dec.  11,  1812,  died  May  11,  1875.  4.  Sarah  Hill,  living.  5. 
Learned  Hill,  died  Sept.  21,  1831,  aged  29  years,  9  months,  17 
days. 

JAMES  HILL,  of  the  8th  generation,  son  of  Ebenezer  and  his 
wife  Betse}',  had  the  following  children  :     1.  Delia  C,  born  April 


BIOGRAPHICAL    AND   GENEALOGICAL    DEPARTMENT.  161 

28,1824;  married  Joseph  Cutler,  and  have  issue.  2.  Aaron  R., 
born  Dec.  26,  1828.  3.  James  F.  Hill,  born  Aug.  12,  1839,  mar- 
ried, and  has  issue.  4.  William  G.  Hill,  born  Oct.  15,  1840, 
married,  and  has  issue.     5.  Ellen  E.  Hill,  born  Nov.  20,  1856. 

Sarah  married  S.  Fuller.  William  and  Learned  Hill  left  no 
issue.  Betsey  Hill  married  George  L.  Winter  Nov.  15,  1835  ; 
George  L.  was  born  Nov.  15,  1808,  and  died  Feb.  23,  1856, 
leaving  the  following  issue  :  1.  Harriet  M.,  born  Oct.  15,  1836, 
married,  and  has  issue.  2.  Sanford  H.,  born  Oct.  11,  1838, 
single.  3.  George  L.,  Jr.,  born  Nov.  16,  1840,  died  Nov.  11, 
1859.     4.   Aurilor  B.  Winter,  born  April  4,  1854. 

BARNABAS  HILL,  of  the  7th  generation,  son  of  James  Hill 
and  grandson  of  Caleb  Hill ;  married  Miss  AbagaIi.  Kingsbury, 
and  the  following  are  their  issue  :     1.  Daniel  K.   Hill,  born  April 

1,  1809,  and  married  Mar}'  Ann  Fitts,  who  was  born  Oct.  24,  1822. 

2.  Abagail,  who  married  Benjamin  F.  Gilmore.  3.  Lucy,  who 
married  John  Stone.  4.  Elizabeth,  who  married  Daniel  Whitford. 
5.  Rufus  Hill,  born  in  Dudley  March  15,  1811,  and  married  Mar}- 
Florrence. 

DOROTHY  HILL,  daughter  of  James  Hill,  and  granddaugh- 
ter of  Caleb  Hill ;  was  of  the  7th  generation,  and  married  David 
Freeman.  They  had  the  foUoAving  issue,  viz.  :  Ruth,  Nancy,  Jo- 
seph, Doroth}^  Thamar,  David,  Oliver,  and  Jerusha. 

TRYPHENA  HILL,  daughter  of  James  Hill,  and  granddaugh- 
ter of  Caleb  Hill ;  was  of  the  7th  generation,  and  married  Abel 
Davis.  They  had  the  following  issue  :  1.  Barnabas  Davis,  who 
married  for  his  first  wife  the  daughter  of  Minor  Morse,  of  Douglas. 
2.  Abagail,- who  married  Sylvester  Phipps,  of  Oxford.  3.  Sarah. 
4.  Lament,  who  married  Albee,  of  Uxbridge.  5.  Abel.  6.  Di- 
antha,  who  married  Loren  W.  Cady,  of  Oxford,  who  was  born 
March  22,  1822,  and  died  Aug.  19,  1865.  Diantha  was  born 
March  4,  1822.     7.  John  M. 

DANIEL  K.  HILL,  of  the  8th  generation,  son  of  Barnabas 
Hill  and  his  wife  MiUiY  Ann,  had  for  their  issue  George  K.  Hill, 
who  married  Emma  Fitts. 
u 


162  HISTORY   OF   DOUGLAS. 

DIANTHA  DAVIS,  of  the  Hth  generation,  daugliter  of  Try- 
phena  Ilill  Davis,  and  hnsband.  Lorkx  W.  Cady,  had  the  follow- 
ing children  :  1.  (reorge  D.  Cady,  l)orn  Sept.  "20,  1847,  and  died 
Aug.  22.  ls4i».  2.  William  C.  Cady,  born  June  29,  1851.  3. 
Flora  A.  J.  Cady,  born  Aug.  18,  1861. 

JA]\IES  F.  HILL,  son  of  James  Hill,  of  the  8th  generation, 
was  born  Aug.  12,  l«3i),  and  married  Lucy  Smith  Burge  of 
Michigan,  Aug.  9,  18(J6,  who  was  born  March  17,  183S.  Issue, 
Frank  Burge  Hill,  born  Jan.  18.  1870.  James  F.  Hill  graduated 
at  Kalamazoo  College,  June;  1863,  and  received  from  that  institu- 
tion the  title  of  A.  B.  at  the  time  of  his  graduation.  He  also 
graduated  at  Rochester  (N.   Y.)   Theological   Seminary  in  1866. 

He  received  the  title  of  A.  M.    from  Kalamazoo  College  , 

1866,  and  was  ordained  pastor  over  the  Baptist  Church  in 
Norwalk,  ().,  Sept.  4,  1866,  and  remained  there  nearly  four^-ears. 
Thence  he  removed  to  and  settled  over  a  church  at  Muskegon, 
Mich.,  Sept.  1,  1870,  and  is  there  at  the  present  time.  He  has 
baptised  one  hundred  and  thirty-seven  persons,  officiated  at  one 
hundred  and  twentj'-eight  funerals,  and  married  eight3'-six  couples. 

WILLIAM  GILBERT  HILL,  son  of  James  Hill  and  Sarah 
his  wife,  married  Kate  C.  Thompsox,  of  Richmond,  Va.,  Nov. 
20,  1867,  who  was  born  Sept.  6,  1848.  Issue,  William  Hill,  born 
July  10,  1871  ;  Clarence  Edward  Ilill,  born  June  8,  1876. 
William  G.  Hill  became  engaged  as  a  merchant  in  the  hide  and 
leather  trade  in  Boston  in  1865,  and  has  continued  in  the  same  to 
the  present  time. 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND   GENEALOGICAL    DEPARTMENT.  163 


GENEALOGY    OF    THE    HUNT    FAMILY. 

The  Hunts  of  Douglas  are  descended  from  Ezekiel  Hunt,  a 
blacksmith,  who  came  to  the  town  more  than  one  hundred  3'ears 
ago.  He  was  the  son  of  Ezekiel  Hunt,  of  Concord,  of  the  third 
generation  from  the  first  settler. 

WILLIAM  HUNT,  of  Concord,  born  1605  ;  married  'Eliza- 
beth Best,  died  1661 ;  married  'Mercy  Rice,  1664. 

CHILDREN. 

1.  Nehemiah,  b.  1631  ;  d.  March  6, 1718. 

2.  Samuel,  b.  1633. 

3.  Elizabeth,  m. Barron. 

4.  Hannah,  b.  1640. 

5.  Isaac,  b.  1647  ;  d.  Dec.  12,  1680. 

SAMUEL  HUNT,  of  Ipswich,  son  of  William,  born  1633  : 
married  Elizabeth  Redding. 

OHILDKEN. 

1.  Samuel,  b.  Nov.  17,  1657;  d.  Jan.  11,  1743. 

2.  Wilham,  b.  April  23,  1660  ;  d.  April  29,  1660. 

3.  Ehzabeth,  b.  May  29,  1661 ;  m.  Pahuer. 

4.  William,  b.  1663  ;  d.  Dec.  12,  1747. 

0.  Joseph,  b.  Oct.  28,  1665. 

6.  Peter,  b.  Aug.  8,  1668  ;  d.  young. 

7.  Peter,  b.  May  14,  1670  ;  d.  under  21  3'ears. 

WILLIAM  HUNT,  2d,  of  Ipswich,  son  of  Samuel,  born  1663  ; 
married  '  Sauah  Newmax  June  9,  1684  ;  married  -  Rose  New^- 
MAN  ;  published  March  6,  1724. 

CHILDREN. 

1.  Sarah,  b.  June  6,  1685  ;  m.  l^iggs. 

2.  WiUiam,  d.  Aug.  16,  1753. 

3.  Agnes,  m. Heard. 

4.  Mary,  m. Ingerson. 

5.  Abigail,  m.  Hodgkins. 


164  HISTORY    OF    DOUGLAS. 

6.  Elizabeth,  b.  Dec.  26,  1694  ;  in.  Davis. 

7.  Rebecca,  b.  April  21,  1697:   m.  Smith. 

H.     Ezekiel,  b.  1699  ;   d.  Aug.  11,  1700. 

9.  Hannah,  b.  July  4,  1701. 

10.  Dorothy,  b.  Aug.  13,  1703  ;  m.  Davis. 

11.  Mehitable,  b.  July  12,  1705  ;  m.  Blackstone. 

12.  Ruth,  b.  May  22.  1708  ;  m.  Smith. 

13.  Ezekiel.  b.  July  1.5.    1710;  ra.  ' Berry.  ' Hoclg- 

kins. 

EZEKIEL  HUNT,  of  IpsAvich,  son  of  William  2d,  born  1710; 
married  ^Susanna  Berry,  published  April  15,  1732;  married 
^Elizabeth  Hodgkixs,  published  March  8,  1743. 

CHILDREN. 

1.  Ezekiel,  2d,  b.  April  6,  1735  ;  d.  Jan.  25,  1803. 

2.  Susanna,  b.  Oct.  17,  1736. 

3.  Nathaniel,  b.  Sept.  15,  1738. 

4.  William,  b.  March  28,  1741. 

5.  Joseph,  b.  1744;  d.  Nov.  11,  1771. 

6.  Isaac. 

7.  Rebecca,  b.  1746  ;  m.  Roberts. 

EZEKIEL  2d,  of  East  Douglas,  son  of  Ezekiel,  born  1735; 
married  Eunice  White  Ma}^  27,  1761. 

CHILDREN. 

1.  Susanna,  b.  Jan.  5,  1762. 

2.  William,  b.  Jan.  12,  1764;  d.  Nov.  15,  1832. 

3.  Judith,  b.  1766  ;    m. Trask. 

4.  Ezekiel,  b.  1771  ;  d.  March  7,  1849. 

5.  Joseph,  b.  1773  ;  m.  Balcome. 

6.  Oliver,  b.  1775. 

7.  Otis,  b.  1778. 

8.'     Eunice,  b.  1781  ;  m.  Balcome. 

9.     Clark,  b.  1783  ;  m.  ^ Alexander, Pickering. 

At  this  point  we  take  the  Douglas  line  of  Hunts  (the  descend- 
ants of  Joseph,  Oliver.  Eunice  and  Clark,)  and  trace  it  down  to 
the  present  time  : 


BIOGRAPHICAL    AND   GENEALOGICAL   DEPARTMENT.  165 

JOSEPH  HUNT,  of  East  Douglas,  son  of  Ezekiel,  born  1773  ; 
man-ied  Betsey  Balcome  Ma.y  29,  1799. 

CHILDEEN. 

1.  Merric.  b.  Feb.  23,  1800;  d.  1829. 

2.  Sally,  b.  1802  ;  m.  Northam. 

3.  Betsey,  b.  Dec.  23,  1804  ;  d.  Feb.  6.  1805. 

4.  Joseph,  b.  March  16,  1809. 

5.  John  B.,  b.  Oct.  11,  1812. 

MERRIC  HUNT,  son    of  Joseph,  born    1800;  married    Re- 
becca Carpenter;  published  Nov.  15.  1823. 

CHILDREN. 

1.  Elona  C.  b.  Oct.  6,  1824  ;  m. Bursley. 

2.  Sabra,  b.  Nov.  5,  1825  ;  d.  early. 

ELONA  C,  daughter  of  Merric,   born  1824;    married    Sam- 
uel C.  BuSRLEY,  of  Northb ridge.  May  22,  1859. 

No  childi'en. 

SALLY,    daughter   of  Joseph,   born   1802 ;    married    Joseph 
Northam  Oct.  1,  1820. 

CHILBREX. 

1.  Sally  Maria,  b.  June  17,  1821  ;  m.  Taft. 

2.  Joseph  Francis,  d.  young. 

3.  Betsey  E..  b.  Dec.  19,  1823  ;  m.  Taft. 

4.  Mar}-  Whitman,  d.  3^oung. 

SALLY   MARIA,    daughter    of   Sally,    born    1821  :    married 
Samuel  N.  Taft  May  2.  1843. 

CHILD. 

Josephine  Maria,  b.  Feb.  2,  1844 ;  d.  Feb.  28,  1844. 

BETSEY  E.,   daughter    of   Sally,   born  1823  :  married  Sa>i- 
UEL  N.  Taft  Sept.  7,  1846. 

children. 

1.  George  Henry,  b.  June  28,  1849. 

2.  Josephine  Maria,  b.  March  10,  1852. 

3.  William  Northam,  b.  April  11.  1857. 


166  HISTORY    OF   DOUGLAS. 

GEORGE  HENRY  TAB^T,  son  of  Betsey  E.,  born  1849  ;  mar- 
ried '  Mary  J.  Goodman  Aug.  2«,  1871,  d.  Nov.,  1871  ;  married 
*  Maky  J.  Rkeu. 

CHILD. 

1.     Arthur  R.,  b.  Jan.  28,  1877,   by  Mary  J.  Reed. 

JOSEPH  HUNT,  of  East  Douglas,  sou  of  Joseph,  born  1809  ; 
married  ^  Saiiah  Whitcomb  Aug.  11.  1«39  ;  married  "  Sakah  L. 
AdajVis  Sept.  15,  1869. 

CHILDREN. 

1.  Mary  E.,  b.  Dec.  16,  1832  ;  m. Taft. 

2.  LuJve  Livingston,  b.  Aug.  16,  1834. 

3.  Emma  Rachel,  b.  Nov.  12,  1842  ;  m. Converse. 

4.  William  Whitcomb,  b.  Dec.  6,  1846  ;  d.  Aug.  22,  1848. 

5.  Willard  Whitcomb,  b.  Oct.  15,  1855. 

6.  Grace  Louise,  b.  Nov.  14,  1870. 

MARY  E.,  daughter  of  Joseph,  born  1832;  married  Nelson 
F.  Taft,  of  Lowell;  pubhshed  May  2,  1854. 

CHILDEEN. 

1      Mary  Nora.     J..^^.^^^ 
2.     Emma  Flora.  ) 

LUKE  LIVINGSTONE  HUNT,  son  of  Joseph,  born  1834. 

EMMA  RACHEL,  daughter  of  Joseph,  born  1842  ;  married 
Enoch  Converse. 

WILLfcARD  WHITCOMB  HUNT,  son  of  Joseph,  born  1855. 

JOHN  B.  HUNT,  of  East  Douglas,  son  of  Joseph,  born  1821  : 
married  Ann  B.  Peck. 

CHILD. 

Josephine  C,  b.  May  14,  1834  ;   d.  Jan.  7,  1842. 

OLIVER  HUNT,  of  East  Douglas,  son  of  Ezekiel.  born  1775; 
married  ^Diadema Whiting  June  29,  1797  ;  married  '^Phcebe  Bal- 
coME  Jan.  28,  1802. 


BIOGRAPHICAL    AND   GENEALOGICAL    DEPARTMENT.  167 

CHILBKEN. 

1.  Warren,  1).  April  30,  1799  ;  m. Kelley. 

2.  Otis  Whitney,   b.  July  19,    1801;  d.   Dec.    21,  1858;  m. 
—  Cumminas. 


3.  Diadema,  b.  Aug.  19.  1802  :  m.  Stone. 

4.  Anderson,  b.  Jan.  31,  1804  ;  m.  Forbush  and  Chamberlain. 

5.  Austin,  Nov.  24,  1807. 

6.  Oliver,  b.  2v'ov.  28,  1809  ;  ra. Forbush. 

7.  Leunder  B.,  b.  July  lo,  1812  ;  m.  ^ Nourse,  '^ Han- 

chet. 

8.  Harriet  N.,  b.  Nov.  21,  1814  ;  m. Hutchins. 

WARREN  HUNT,  of  East  Douglas,  son  of  OUver,born  1799  ; 
married  Maktha  Kellev  July  12,  1821. 

CHILrDREN. 

1.  Francis  Warren,  b.  Aug,  2,  1827;  m. Balcome. 

2.  Martha  Jane,  b.  Jan.  30,  1830  ;  d.  Nov.  23,  1837. 

3.  Caroline  Augusta,  b.  Sept.  7,  1833  ;  m. Bryant. 

FRANCES    W.  HUNT,   son  of  Warren,  born  1827  ;  married 
Eunice  D.  Balcome  May  22,  1849. 

CUII-1>KEX. 

1.  Warren  Lyman,  b.  May  2,  1851. 

2.  Henry  Frank,  b.  Jan.  8,  1853. 

3.  M.  Jennie,  b.  Jan.  16,  1857 ;  m.  Elwell. 

4.  Sumner  Balcome.  b.  Nov.  19, 1861.. 

M.  JENNIE,  daughter  of  Francis  W.,  born   1857  ;  married 
Joseph  A.  Elwell,  of  Woonsocket.  Nov.  2,  1876. 

CHILD. 

1.     Albert  Francis,  b.  March  30,  1878. 

CAROLINE  AUGUSTA,   daughter  of   Warren,    born  1833  ; 
manied  George  P.  Bryant  Jan.  12.  1854. 

CHILDREN . 

1.  Carrie  Hunt,  b.  March  15,  1856. 

2.  Paul  Lincoln,  b.  Oct.  15,  1868, 


168  HISTORY   OF    DOUGLAS. 

OTIS  W.  HUNT,  son  of  Oliver,  born  1801  ;   married    SuBMrr 

CUMMINGS. 

CHILDEEX. 

1.  Charles  Edwin,  b.  July  25,  1824  ;  d.  Jan.  10, 1826. 

2.  'Edwin  Augustus,  b.  Feb.  25,  1826  ;  d.  May  8,  1857. 

3.  William,  b.  April  4,  1828  ;  m.  Balcome. 

,     4.     Franklin  L.,  b.  Sept.  1,  1834:  m.  Graves. 

5.  Mary  Louise,  b.  Feb.  13,  1839  :  m. Waite. 

6.  Otis  W.,  b.  Nov.  13,  1849. 

EDWIN  AUGUSTUS  HUNT,  son  of  Otis  W.,  born  1826  :  mar- 
ried Mary  A.  Joslyn,  1848. 

CHILDEEN. 

1.  Edgar  A.,  b.  Nov.  9,  1854. 

2.  Edwin  A.,  b.  June,  1856.  . 

WILLIAM  HUNT,  son  of  Otis  W.,  born  1828  ;  married  Laura 
A.  Balcome  May  22,  1849. 

CHILDREN. 

1.  Charles  E.,  b.  June  1,  1851. 

2.  Walter  B.,  b.  July  15,  1854. 

■     3.    Josephine  L.,  b.  Aug.  9,  1857. 

4.  Robert  W.,  b.  Jan.  28,  1859  :  d.  March  13,  1859. 

DIADEMA,  daughter  of  Oliver,  born  1802  ;   married  Lltther 
Stone  1825. 

CHILD. 

1.     Louensia  Augusta,  b.  1826;  m.  Lincoln. 

LOUENSIA   AUGUSTA,    daughter  of  Diadema.  born  1826  ; 
married  Charles  Lincoln. 

ANDERSON  HUNT,  son  of  Oliver,  born  1807  ;  married '  Eliza 

FoRBusH  May  18,  1831  ;  married  '  Nancy  Chamberlain  May  30. 

1842. 

children. 

1.  Lysander  Perry,  b.  Sep.  3,  1832  ;  m. Batcheller. 

2.  Charles  Anderson,  b.  June  23,  1834  ;  m. Chamberlain. 

3.  Harlan  Page,  b.  July  6.  1836  ;  m. Cunhff. 

4.  Ellen  EH?a,  b.  March  3,  1843. 


BIOGRAPHICAL    AND   GENEALOGICAL   DEPARTMENT.  169 

5.  Anna  Francelia,  b.  Nov.  11,  1845. 

6.  George  "Warren,  b.  Nov.  11,  1847. 

LYSANDER  P.  HUNT,  son  of  Anderson,  bora  1832  ;  married 
Minerva  A.  Batcheller,  1857. 

CHARLES  A.  HUNT,  son  of  Anderson,  born  1834;  married 
Sarah  Chamberlain,  of  Boston,  Oct.  20,  1859. 

CHILDREN. 

1.  Arthur  Chamberlain,  b.  Oct.  11, 1866. 

2.  Clarence  Mellen,  b.  June  17,  1870. 

HARLAN  P.  HUNT,  son  of  Anderson,  born  1836  ;  married 
Sarah  Louise  Cunliff  Nov.  26,  1863. 

children. 

1.  Nellie  E.,  b.  Oct.  23,  1865. 

2.  Emma  L..  b.  March  20,  1874. 

GEORGE  W.  HUNT,  son  of  Anderson,  born  1847;  married 
Josephine  M.  Taft,  daughter  of  Newell  Taft,  Nov.  14.  1878. 

OLR^ER  HUNT,  son  of  Oliver,  born  1809  ;  married  Persis  G. 
FoRBusH  May  10,  1832. 

CHILDREN. 

1.  Julia  Ann,  b.  July  19,  1833  ;  m. Howe. 

2.  Helen  Maria,  b.  Feb.  22,  1835  ;  d.  Aug.  30,  1838. 

3.  Mary  Elizabeth,  b.  April  19,  1837  :  d.  Nov.  15,  1838. 

4.  Sarah  Ehzabeth,  b.  Jan.  30,  1843  ;  d.  Sept.  5,  1843. 

5.  Anna  Olivia,  b.  July  27,  1845  ;  d.  Aug.  14.  1845. 

JULIA  ANN,  daughter  of  Oliver,  born  1833  ;  married  Elijah 
Howe,  Jr..  Jan.  3,  1857. 

CHILD. 

1.     OHver,  b.  1860. 

LEANDER  B.  HUNT,  son  of  OHver,  born  1812  ;  married 
^  Ltdia  B.  NouRSE  Nov.  8.  1836:  manied  ~  Mary  H.  Hanchet 
Oct.  27,  1852. 

CHILDREN. 

1.  Antoinette  Eliza,  b.  Oct.  25,  1839  ;  m.  Thayer. 

2.  Louis  Herbert,  b.  June  21,  1846  :  d.  Oct.  2,  1846. 


170  HISTORY   OF    DOUGLAS. 

3.     Herbert  Eugene,  b.  Oct.  29,  1848  ;  m.  Palmer. 

-1.     Alfred  Epher,  b.  March  31,  1855  ;  m. McQuesten. 

5.     Arthur  Leauder.  b.  Aug.  7,  185G  ;  d.  April  23,  1860. 
G.     Mary  Toby,  b.  Nov.  21,  1857  ;  d.  Nov.  14,  1858. 

ANTOINETTE  E.,  daughter  of  Leander  B.,  born  in  1839; 
married  Lucius  M.  Thayer  Sept.  7,  1864. 

CHILDKEN. 

1.  Walter  Nourse,  b.  April  8,  1870. 

2.  May  Hunt,  b,  Oct.  29,  1873. 

3.  Daisy  Lillian,  b.  Feb.  10,  1877. 

HERBERT  E.  HUNT,  son  of  Leander  B.,  born ,  1848  ; 

married  Amelia  Palmer,  at  Boston,  May  29,  1870. 

CHILDREN. 

1.  Mabel  Gertrude,  b.  June  11,  1871 ;  d.  Sept.  9,  1871. 

2.  Bertha  Grenville,  b.  Aug.  17,  1873. 

3.  Ehzabeth  Baker,  b.  Feb.  9,  1876. 

ALFRED    E.   HUNT,  son  of  Leander  B.,  born ,  1855; 

married  Minnie  T.  McQuesten,  of  Nashua,  N.  H.,  Oct.  29, 1878. 

HARRIET  N.,  daughter  of  Oliver,  born ,  1814  ;  married 

Charles  Hutchins,  pubhshed  Oct.  12,  1837. 

CHILDREN. 

1.  Alice  Ann,  b.  Feb.  14,  1839  ;  d.  April  22,  1861. 

2.  George  Francis,  b.  Oct.  5, 1841 ;  m.  ^ Bodkin  ;  * 

Fairbanks. 

3.  Harriet  Augusta,  b.  June  15,  1844  ;  m.  Richards. 

4.  Charles  Henry,  b.  Jan.  13,  1847  ;  m.  Knowles. 

5.  OUver  Clay,  b.  Feb.  21,  1850. 

6.  Jessie  Gertrude,  b.  Oct.  1,  1859. 

GEORGE  F.  HUTCHINS,  son  of  Harriet  N.,  born  1841; 
married  'Annie  L.  Bodkin  Dec.  28,  1869;  married  ^Edna  P. 
Fairbanks  May  12,  1875. 

children. 

1.  Charles  Francis,  b.  Feb.  1,  1871. 

2.  Willie  Lee,  b.  Jan.  27,  1873. 

3.  Henry  Talbot,  b.  Feb.  3,  1877. 


BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL   DEPARTMENT.  171 

HARRIET  A.,  daughter  of  Harriet  X.,  born  1844;   married 
Setu  Richards  Oct.  3,  1871. 

C.  HENRY  HUTCHINS,  son  of  Harriet  N.,  born  1847  ;  mar- 
ried LiLA  E.  Knowles  tSept,  2,  1873. 

CHILD. 

1.     Arthur  Knowles,  b.  1878, 

EUNICE,  daughter  of  Ezekiel,  born  1781 ;  married  Ellis  Bal- 

COME. 

CHILDREN. 

1.  Sumner,  b.  Sept.  23,  1799  ;  m. Knapp. 

2.  Eunice,  b.  Feb.  23,  1808  ;  m. Dudley. 

3.  Rehef,  b.  Aug.  3,  1810  :  m. Luther. 

SUMNER    BALCOME,   son   of  Eunice,  boru  1799  ;    married 
Laura  Knapp,  of  Bridgeport,  Conn. 

CHILDItEX. 

1.  Brigham,  m.  Julia  Balcome. 

2.  Emily,  m.  Nathan  Sprague. 

3.  Laura  A.,  m.  William  Hunt. 

4.  Eunice  D.,  m.  F.  W.  Hunt. 

5.  Sumner  W.,  m.  Lizzie  Walls. 

6.  Hattie  A.,  m.  Edgar  Spinney. 

7.  Jennie,  m. Hooker. 

■•   8.     Mary  Elizabeth,  m. Blinn. 

EUNICE,  daughter  of  Eunice,   born  1808;    married  Willard 

Dudley. 

children. 

Edwin,  Francis,  and  Betsey. 

RELIEF,  daughter  of  Eunice,  born  1810 ;  married  Jeremiah 

Luther. 

children. 

1.  Eliza  G-.,  b.  Aug.  8,  1831 ;  m. Hazelton. 

2.  Marcus  M.,  b.  Sept.  1,  1833  ;  m.  — —  Mannehan. 

3.  Marion  R.,  b.  Nov.  14,  1836  ;  m. Calden. 

4.  Alphonso,  b.  Oct.  13,  1838  ;  m. Emmons. 

5.  Jeremiah  E.,  b.  Sept.  27,  1843  ;  d.  Oct.  14,  1863. 

6.  Jane  S.,  b.  Aug.  16,  1847  ;  m. Oakes. 

7.  Hannah  H.,  b.  July  29,  1850  ;  d.  Sept.  23,  1850. 


172  HISTORY   OP   DOUGLAS, 

ELIZA    G,,  daughter   of  Relief,    b.  1831  ;  married  WitLjCAM 
Hazelton. 

CHILD. 

1.     Charles  Edward,  b.  May  8.  1855. 

MARCUS  M.  LUTHER,   son  of  ReUef,  born  1833  ;  married 
Ellen  M.  Mannehan. 

CHILD. 

1.     Alice  Eliza,  b.  July  15.  1874. 

MARION  R.,  daughter  of  Relief,  born  1836  ;  married  Thoma8 
J.  Calden. 

CHILDREN. 

1.  Walter  A.,  b.  Feb.  29,  1857. 

2.  Etta  E..  b.  Nov.  26,  1859. 

3.  Eddie  L.,  b.  July  13,  1861  ;  d.  Oct.  — ,  1861. 

ALPHONSO  LUTHER,  son  of  Relief,  born  1838;  married 
Emma  A.  Emmons. 

CHILDREN. 

1.  Helen,  b.  Aug.  14,  1868. 

2.  Julia  Annie,  b.  Dec.  29, 1874. 

JANE  S.,  daughter  of  Relief,  born  1847  ;  married  Jonas  Oakes 
Nov.  22,  1870. 

CHILDREN. 

1.  Charles  Francis,  b.  Aug.  13,  1871. 

2.  Freddy  Jonas,  b.  April  23,  1877. 

CLARK  HUNT,  of  Danby,  Vt.,  son  of  Ezekiel,  born  1783; 
married  ^  Zilphia  Alexander,  published  Dec.  8,  1805;  married 
-'Cyrene  Pickering  March  12.  1811. 

children. 
V.     Ceha  A.,  b.  April  28,  1805  ;  m. Smith. 

2.  Harriet,  b.  Feb.  13.  1807  :    m. Buxton. 

3.  Caroline,  b.  Feb.  28,  1812  ;  m.  — -  Coggeshall. 

4.  Hiram,  b.  Oct.  6,  1814. 

5.  Homer  P.,  b.  Aug.  30,  1816. 

6.  Zilphia,  b.  Oct.  9,  1819  ;  m. Cook. 

7.  Cyrene,  b.  Jan.  24,  1821  :  m. VaUet. 

8.  Clark,  b.  Sept.  29,  1823  ;  d.  Nov.  4,  1859. 


BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL    DEPARTMENT.  173 

9.     Venncr,  b.  May  2,  1827  ;  d.  Feb.  21,  1828. 
10.     Nelson  V.,  b.  Feb.  17,  1829  ;  d.  April  2,  1840. 

HOMER  P.   HUNT,  son  of  Clark,  born  1816  ;  married  '  Maky 
D.  Davis  May  9,    1841;  married  -Mary    J.   Hodges    Nov.   29, 

1848.  '  CHILDKEN. 

1.  Mary  E.,  b.  1841  ;  d.  July  6,  1842. 

2.  Homer  P.,  b.  July  1844  ;  d.  Aug.  8,  1844. 

3.  Lewis  H.,  b.  June  13,  1853  ;  d.  Oct.  2,  1859. 

4.  Howard  N.,  b.  Aug.  16,  1855  ;  d.  Feb.  18,  1858. 


GENEALOGY    OF     THE      THAYEK      FAMILY. 

THOMAS  THAYER,  of  Braintree.  Mass..  and  Margery . 

his  wife  ;   were  from  England. 

CHILBREN. 

1.  Thomas.  3.     Shadrack. 

2.  Ferdinand. 

FERDINAND  THAYER,   son  of  Thomas,  married   Huldah 
Hayward,  of  Braintree,  1752. 


1. 

Sarah. 

CHILDREN. 

5. 

Naomi. 

2. 

Huldah. 

6. 

Thomas. 

3. 

Jonathan. 

7. 

Samuel. 

4. 

David. 

8. 

Isaac. 

CAPT.  THOMAS  THAYER, 

son  ( 

af  Ferdinand,  married  Mary 

Adam; 

s,  of  Mendon, 

1838. 

1. 

Mary. 

CHILDREN. 

6. 

Elizabeth. 

2. 

Thomas. 

7. 

John. 

3. 

Samuel. 

8. 

William. 

4. 

Temperance. 

9. 

Margaret. 

5. 

David. 

10. 

Jemima. 

SAMUEL  THAYER,  son  of  Captain  Thomas,  born  1696  ; 
married  'Sarah  F.uimer,  of  Uxbridge,  Ma}'  3.  1754;  married 
^  Sarah  Walker. 


174  HISTORY   OF    DOUGLAS. 

CHILDREN. 

1.  Amos.  0.     Martha. 

2.  .laboz  6.     Eunice. 

0.  Asa.  7.     Louisa. 
4.     Lois.  8.     Nahum. 

9.     Stepheu.  11.     Mary. 

10.     Samuel. 

ASA  THAYER,   son  of  Samuel,  bora   1761  ;    married  Mary 
MiTRDOCK,  of  Newton,  Mass.,  April,  1780. 

CHILDREN. 

1.  Olive,  b.  Aug.  18,  1781 ;  m.  Ezekiel  Taft. 

2.  Clinton,  b.  April  27,  1784  ;  m.  Betsey  Carter. 

:i  Nancy,  b.  April  11,  178G  ;  d.  July,  1852  :   m.  Arnold  Taft. 

4.  Royal,  b.  March  19,  1788  ;  m.  Hannah  Seagrave, 

a.  Collins,  b.  April  7,  1790  ;  m.  Abnira  Taft. 

6.  Sullivan,  b.  April  3,  1792;    m.  'Charlotte  Mowry,  =Ruth 


7.  Emery,  b.  Feb.  19,  1794  ;  m.  Susan  Taft. 

8.  Lois,  b.  Oct.  .3.  1796  ;  m.  George  Minot. 

9.  Asa,  b.  Sept.  2,  1799  ;  m.  Chloe  Chapin. 

10.  Turner,  b.  Feb.  2,  1802  ;  m.  L5Tlia  Batcheller. 

11.  ]Mary,  b.  Sept.  4,  1803  ;  m.  Clark  Sumner. 

12.  Louisa,  b.  April  14,  180G  ;  d.  1828. 

OLIVE,   daughter  of   Asa,  b.    1781 ;  married    Ezekiel   Taft 
Nov.  29,  1804  ;  died  April  24,  1821. 
No  children. 

CLINTON  THAYER,  son  of  Asa,  born  1784  ;  marned  ^Bet- 
sey Carter  Jan.,  180.5;  married  ^  Ice  Morse,  1824. 

children. 
1.     Eliza,  b.  1818. 

•     2.     Sarah,  b.  1 820. 

3.  Charles,  b.  1821;  d.  1838. 

4.  Clinton. 

b.     Margaret  Ann. 


BIOGRAPHICAL    AND   GENEALOGICAL   DEPARTMENT.  175 

NANCY,  daughter  of  Asa,  bom  1786  ;  married  Arnold  Taft  ; 
died  July,  1852. 

ROYAL  THAYEK,  son  of  Asa,  boi-n  1788  ;  married  Hannah 
Seagrave  June,  1812. 

CHILDREN. 

1.  Catherine,  1).  June  21,  1813  ;  d.  Aug.  8,  1844. 

2.  Sarah  Ann.  b.  Oct.  7,  1814  ;  m. Riddle. 

3.  Charlotte  A.,  b.  Sept.  18,  1817  ;  m. Rogerson. 

4.  AVilUam  B.,  b.  July  21,  181S  ;  d.  Nov.  20,  1828. 

5.  Hannah  A.,  b.  March  28,  1.S22  ;  m. Armsburg. 

6.  SyMa  W.,  b.  March  8,  1824. 

7.  WiUiani  W.,  h.  May  1,  1827  ;  m.  M.  S.  Giles  May  2o,  1853. 

8.  Royal  W.,  b.  Jan.  18,  1828  ;  d.  April  15,  1828. 

0.  Mary  Aldrich,  b.  March  14,  1830  ;  ni. Galthart. 

10.     Royal  2d,  b.  Dec.  18.  1832  ;  m. Galthart. 

SARAH  ANN,  daughter  of  Royal,  born  1814  ;  married  Henry 

Riddle  Oct..  1835. 

children. 

1.  WiUiam  Henry,  b.  Jan.,  1839. 

2.  Edwin  Henry,  b. 1841. 

3.  Catherine  S.,  b. 1844. 

4.  Calvin  H.,  b.  Jan.,  1850. 

5.  Wilhe  Thayer,  b.  Feb.,  1853. 

CHARLOTTE  A.,   daughter  of  Royal,   born    1817;    married 
Robert  Rogerson  Sept.  5,  1850. 

child. 
1.     Alice  A.,  b. 1851 ;  m. Brown. 

ALICE   A.,  daughter  of   Charlotte  A.,   born   1851  ;    married 
John  F.  Brown  Oct.  31,  1878. 

HANNAH    A.,  daughter  of  Royal,  born   1822  ;  married    A. 
Armsbltig  Dec.  4,  1844. 

children. 

1.  Catharine,  b.  June  30,  1846  ;  d.  July,  1848. 

2.  Kate  P.,  b.  June  7,  1850. 


176  HISTORY   OP   DOUGLAS. 

MARY  A.,  daughter  of  Royal,  born  1830;  mamed  Nathax 
Galthakt  Aug.  25,  1852. 

CHILDREX. 

1.  Ada  Isabella,  b.  Nov.  20,  1854  ;  d.  Nov.  9.  1861. 

2.  Francis  Cornelia,  b.  Sept.  13,  1859. 

3.  Anna  Mar3\  b.  Oct.  14,  1864. 

ROYAL  THAYER  2d,   son  of  Royal,  born   1832;  married 
Cornelia  K.  Waters  May  25,  1859. 

CHILDREIf. 

1.  Herbert,  b.  May  9,  1860  ;  d.  Nov.  19,  1860. 

2.  Carroll,  b.  Aug.  10,  1862. 

COLLINS  THAYER,  son  of  Asa,   born  1  790  ;  man-ied  Al- 

MIRA    TaFT. 

CHILDREN. 

1.  Susan  Mary  Adeline. 

2.  Elmira  Virginia  Elizabeth  Collins. 

3.  Olive. 

4.  James  Munroe. 

SULLIVAN    THAYER  son   of   Asa,  born    1792;   married 
^Charlotte  Mowky  Sept.  6,  1814;  married  'Ruth  Mo  wry  Jan. 

17,  1877. 

CHILDREN. 

1.  Alonzo,  born  Sept.  12,  1815  ;  died  Feb.  12,  1816. 

2.  Austin,  b.  March  3,  1819  ;  d.  Jan.  27,  1826. 

3.  Sullivan  Taft,  b.  April  17,  1820. 

4.  Charlotte  M.,  b.  Nov.  28,  1821  ;  m. Wiggin. 

5.  Mary  Adie,  b.  Jan.  10,  1824  ;  d.  Jan.  27,  1826. 

6.  Edwin  S.,  b.  June  5,  1826  ;  m. Barstow. 

7.  Asa,  b.  June  2,  1828  ;  d.  1849. 

8.  Henry  H.,  b.  March  13,  1832. 

9.  George  Flagg,  b.  March,  1834  ;  d.  Feb.  22,  1855. 

10.  Harriet  L.,  b.  Aug.  2,  1839. 

11.  Mary  Jane,  b.  Aug.  22,  1841. 

12.  Herbert  M.,  b.  Feb.  6,  1843. 

CHARLOTTE  M.,  daughter  of  Sullivan,  born  1821  ;  mamed 
Samuel  W.  Wiggin. 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND   GENEALOGICAL   DEPARTMENT.  177 

CHILD. 

1.     Ella  Francis,  b.  May  22,  1848. 

EDWIN   S.  THAYER,  sou  of  Sullivan,  born  1826  ;  mamed 
Nancy  Barstow  Feb.  28,  1850. 

CHILD. 

1.     Helen  Louise,  b.  Feb.  28,  1854. 

EMERY    THAYER,  son  of  Asa,  born  1794  ;  married  Susan 
Taft  Sept.  4,  181G. 

CHILDREN. 

1.  Malora  Lovina,  b.  Sept.  2,  1819  ;  m. Cummings. 

2.  Matilda  Ann,  b.  Sept.  24,  1820  ;  m. Potter. 

8.  Ezekiel  Taft,  b.  Nov.  21,  1823  ;  ni. Cook. 

4.  Susan  A.,  b.  Oct.  1,  1826. 

0.  Georgiaua,  b.  .July  6,  1827. 

6.  Angeline  L.,  b.  Aug.  10,  1830. 

7.  Angenetta,  b.  Aug.  17,  1832. 

8.  Georgiana,  2d,  b.  May  23,  1838. 

MALORA  L..  daughter  of  Emery,  born  1819  ;  married  Caleb 
Cummings  Jan.  31,  1841. 

CHILDREN. 

1.  Francis  A.,  b.  Jan.  1,  1842. 

2.  Florence  E.,  b.  June  1,  1848. 

FLORENCE  ELLEN,  daughter  of  Malora  L.,  born   1848  ; 
married  Byron  Stockwell,  Nov.  27,  1871. 

CHILDREN. 

1.  Bertha  C,  b.  Aug.  17,  1873. 

2.  Harry  L.,  b.  June  23,  1877. 

MATILDA  A.,  daughter  of  Emery,  born   1820  ;  married  Dr. 
Allan  Potter  Nov.  6,  1845. 

CHILD. 

1.     Frank,  b.  Sept.,  1852. 

EZEKIEL  T.  THAYER,   son  of   Emery,   born   1823  ;  mar- 
ried Mary  Cook  Nov.  29,  1848. 

12 


178  HISTORY   OF   DOUGLAS. 

•  CHILDKEN, 

1.  Clara  Emergene,  b.  July  20,  1840  ;  m. Taft. 

2.  Ella  J.,  b.  May  29,  1851. 

3.  Eva  A.,  b.  Nov.  2fi,  1852  ;  m. Hopkins. 

CLARA  E.,  daughter  of  Ezekiel  T.,  born  1849  ;  married  Lewis 
W.  Taft. 

CHILD. 

1.     Leo  Maud,  b.  Nov.  29. 

EVA  A.,  daughter  of  Ezekiel  T.,  born  1857  ;   married  Henry 
T.  Hopkins. 

CHILD. 

1.     WillardE.,  b.  Oct.,  1878. 

GEOUGIANNA,    daughter  of   Emery,    born  1838;   married 
Noah  H.  Jones  Nov.  24,  1854. 

children. 

1.  Herbert  W.,  b.  March  8,  1855  ;  m. Heath. 

2.  Ernest  W.,  b.  Feb.  4,  1860  ;  d.  Aug.  14,  1863. 

3.  Wilton  A.,  b.  Oct.  12,  1865. 

4.  Louie  S.,  b.  Sept.  28,  1874. 

HERBERT   W.  JONES,    son   of  Georgiana ;  m.  Emma   P. 
Heath,  Dec.  24,  1876. 

CHILD. 

1.     Florence  S.,  b.  Jan.  20,  1878. 

ANGELINE  L..  daughter  of  Emery,  born  1830  ;  married  Ed- 
win AldriciiNov.  20,  1849. 

CHILD. 

1.     Viola,  m.  Malcolm  Rogers. 

LOIS,  daughter  of  Asa,  born   1796  ;  married  George  Minot 

Jan.  7,  1818. 

CHILD. 

1.     Charies  Thayer,  h.  July  30,  1810. 

ASA  THAYER,  2d.,  son  of  Asa,  born  1799;  married  Chloe 
Chapin  Sept.  24,  1827. 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND   GENEALOGICAL   DF<:PARTMENT.  179 

CHILDKEN. 

1.  Andrew  Jackson,  b.  Jan.  19,  1829  ;  m. Knapp. 

2.  Charles  A.,  b.  July  24,  1830  ;  d.  in  California  May  2,  1856. 

3.  Francis  H.,  b.  June  8,  1832  ;  d.  Jan.  6,   1852. 

4.  Annie  F.,  b.  Feb.  3,  1835  ;  m.  — —  Shadlow. 

5.  Ella  G.,  b,  Jan.  8,  1837  ;  ni. Wyman. 

6.  Etta  E.,  1).  April  6,  1838  ;  m. Alger. 

7.  Lucius  M.,  b.  Feb.  18,  1841  ;  m. Hunt. 

8.  Walter  G.,  b.  Sept.  23,  1842  ;  d.  Jan.  3,  1859. 

ANDREW  JACKSON  THAYER,   son  of  Asa,   2d.,    born 
1829  ;  married  Mary  A.  Knapp  Dec.  16,  1852. 

CHILDKEN. 

1.  Frank  Henry,  b.  Sept.  3,  1854  ;  d.  May  12,  lb57. 

2.  Fannie  E.,  b.  March  30,  1856  ;  d.  Feb.  6,  1858. 

3.  Helen  L.,  b.  Dec.  20,  1858. 

4.  Anna  Josephine,  1).  June  23,  1863. 

ANNIE  F.,  daughter  of  Asa,  2d,  born  1835  ;  married  Wil- 
liam L.  Shadlow  Sept.  18,  1855. 

ELLA  G.,  daughter  of  Asa,  2d,  born  1837  ;  married  Isaac  J. 
Wyman  April  25,  1865. 

CHILD. 

1.     Mary  T.,  b.  June  18,  1866. 

ETTA   E.,  daughter  of  Asa,  2d,  born   1838  ;  married  Amasa 
Alger. 

CHILD. 

1.     Katie. 

LUCIUS  M.  THAYER,  son  of  Asa,  2d,  born  1841  ;  married 
Antoinette  E.  Hunt  Sept.  7,  1864. 

CHILDREN. 

1.  Walter  Nourse,  b.  April  8,  1870. 

2.  May  Hunt,  b.  Oct.  29,  1873. 

3.  Daisy  LiUian,  b.  Feb.  10,  1877. 

TURNER  THAYER,  son  of  Asa,  born  1802  ;  married  Lydia 
Batcheller  1823. 


180  HISTORY   OF   DOUGLAS. 

CHILDREN. 

1.  Laurie,  b.  Oct.  18,  1824  ;  m. Hammond. 

2.  Louisa  H.,  b.  Nov.  5,  1527  ;  m.  ^ Parker,  ^ . 

3.  George  C,  b.  July  30,  1880  ;  m. Greeley. 

4.  Mary  B.,  b.  May  17,  1835  ;  m. Steere. 

0.  Edward  T.,  b.  Aug.  13,  1839  ;  d.  March  .5,  1841. 

6.  Olive  H,  b.  Aug.  — ,  1840 ;  d.  Oct.  7,  1840. 

7.  Edward  L.,b.  March  14,  1843. 

LAURIE,  daughter  of  Turner,  born  1824  ;  married  John  C. 
Hammond  Feb.  27,  1846. 

CHILDREN. 

1.  Wilberforce  B.,  b.  April  24,  1855. 

2.  Millie  Belle  M.,  b.  Sept.  17,  1856. 

LOUISA  H.,  daughter  of  Turner,  born  1827;  married  Philo 
Parker  Oct.  5,  1847. 

CHILDREN. 

1.  Walter  E.,  b.  Jan.  16,  1850. 

2.  Fred.  T.,  b.  Jan.  17,  1856. 

GEORGE  0.  THAYER,  son  of  Turner,  born  1830  ;  married 
Sarah  A.  Greeley  July  1,  1848. 

CHILDREN. 

1.  Byron  T.,  b.  April  8,  1849. 

2.  Cora  G.,  b.  Aug.  — ,  1855. 

3.  Leroy  E.,  d.  Dec.  30,  1862. 

MARY,  daughter  of  Asa,  born  1803  ;  married  Clark  Sumner 
Sept.  23,  1832. 

CHILD. 

1.     SuUivan  C,  b.  Feb.  30,  1836. 

ISAAC    THAYER,    son    of   Ferdinando ;    married   ^Mercy 
"Ward  ;  married  ^Maky 1793. 

CHILDREN. 

1.  Mary.  3.     Ebenezer. 

2.  Isaac.  4.     Comfort. 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND   GENEALOGICAL   DEPARTMENT.  181 

5.  Mary.  9.  Samuel. 

6.  John.  10.  Joseph. 

7.  Nathaniel.  11.  Ichabod. 

8.  Moses. 

JOSEPH   THAYER,   son  of  Isaac;  married  ^SARAH    Bal- 
COME  1741  ;  married  ^Rachel  Richardson  1765. 

CHILDREN. 

1.  Joseph.  .  5.  Thaddeus. 

2.  Rhoda.  6.  George. 

3.  Sarah.  7.  Sarah,  2d. 

4.  John.  8.  Martha. 

9.  Sophronia  Asseuith.  11.     Zylphia. 
10.     Isaac.  12.     Lydia. 

JOHN  THAYER,  son  of  Joseph  ;  married  Dacy  Richardson 

1776. 

children. 

1.  Sarah.  4.      Joseph. 

2.  Aurilla.  5.     Phebe. 

3.  John.  6.     Marvel. 

SARAH,    daughter   of  John,    born    1777;   married   Ezekiel 
Wood  Feb.  21,  1799. 

JOHN   THAYER,    Jr.,   son   of  John,  born    1787;   married 
Ruth  Mowry  Dec.  12,  1810. 

CHILDREN. 

1.  Mowry  R.,  b.  April  27,  1811  ;  m. Morse. 

2.  Stephen  D.,  b.  Dec.  26,  1813  ;  m. Nichols. 

3.  Arvilla,  b.  Aug.  9,  1816  ;  m. Richardson. 

MOWRY  R.  THAYER,  son  of  John,  Jr.,  born  1811  ;  married 
Harriet   Morse  May  1,  1838. 

CHILDREN. 

1.  Chester  M.,  b.  Dec.  31,  1839  ;  m. Brown. 

2.  Lucy  A.,  b.  April  9,  1841. 

3.  John  R.,  b.  March  9,  1845  ;  m. Holmes. 


182  HISTORY   OP   DOUGLAS. 

CHESTER   M.  THAYER,   son   of  Mowry  R.,  born   1839  ; 
married  Susan  A.  Brown  Dec.  3,  1863. 

CHILD. 

1.     Harriet  Louise,  b.  Dec.  31,  1875. 

JOHN  R.  THAYER,  Esq.,  son  of  Mowry  R.,  born  1849  ;  mar- 
ried Sara  Charlotta  Holmes  Jan.  30,  1873. 

CHILDREN. 

1.  Henry  Perrin,  b.  Nov.  25,  1873. 

2.  John  Mowry,  b.  Jan.  4,  1876. 

STEPHEN  D.  THAYER,  son  of  John,  Jr.,  born  1813  ;  mar- 
ried Lucy  E.  Nichols. 

CHILDREN. 

1.  Da\dd  Nichols,  b.  Dec.  10,  1844. 

2.  John  Mowry,  b.  March  16,  1847. 

3.  Arvilla  Richardson,  b.  Feb.  4,  1850. 

4.  Charles  Frederick,  b.  Nov.  6,  1852. 

ARVILLA  R.,  daughter  of  Stephen  D.,  born  1850  ;   married 
George  Thurston  June  22,  1869. 

ARVILLA,  daughter  of  John,  Jr.,  born  1861  ;  married  Mowry 
Richardson  Dec.  13,  1834. 

CHILDREN. 

1.  John  Thayer,  b.  July  4,  1836. 

2.  Ruth  Ann,  b.  March  20,  1843. 

3.  Henry  Chapin,  b.  March  9,  1858. 

JOSEPH  THAYER,  Esq.,  son  of  John,  born  1790  ;    married 
Chloe  Taft,  of  Uxbridge,  Sept.  3,  1818. 

CHILDREN. 

1.  Sarah  R.,  b.  July  15,  1819  ;  m. Chapin. 

2.  Susan,  b.  April  15,  1821. 

3.  Levi  Lincohi,  b.  Nov.  10,  1825. 

4.  Edward,  b.  May  10,  1830  ;  m. . 

5.  Louisa,  b.  Sept.  10,  1836  ;  m. Chapin. 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND   GENEALOGICAL   DEPARTMENT.  183 

SARAH  R.,  daughter  of  Joseph,   born   1819  ;  married  Hon. 
Henry  Chapin  Oct.  7,  1839. 

CHILD. 

1.     Henry,  b.  Sept.  10,  1847  ;  d.  July  2,  1848. 

LOUSIA  A.,  daughter  of  Joseph,   born   183G  ;  married  Hon. 
Henry  Chapin  May  23,  1871. 

PHEBE,   daughter  of  John,  b.  1792  :  m.  Benjamin  Buffum 
1817. 

CHILD. 

1.     Sarah,  b.  July  4,  1818. 

SARAH,  daughter  of  Phebe,   born    1818  ;    married  Thomas 
Buxton. 

children.  , 

1.     Phebe.  2.      Elbridge.  3.     Stephen. 

CAPT.  MARVEL  THAYER,  son  of  John,  married  Lucinda 
Aldrich,  of  East  Douglas,  April  27,  1820. 

CHILDREN. 

1.  Joseph  Mowry,  b.  Nov.  17,  1821 ;  m. Arnold. 

2.  Chloe  Taft,  b.  Sept.  — ,  1822  ;  m. Brown. 

3.  Sarah  Smith,  b.  Feb.  20,  1825  ;  m. Southwick. 

4.  Lucinda,  b.  July  8,  1827  ;  m. Southwick. 

5.  Diantha.  b.  Oct.  7,  1829  ;  died  3^oung. 

6.  John  Slater,  b.  May  18,  1832. 

JOSEPH  M.  THAYER,  son  of  Captain  Marvel,  born  1821  ; 
married  Prutia  M.  Arnold  May,  1843. 

CHILDREN. 

1.  Smith,  b.  Aug.  24,  1848  ;  m. Brosto. 

2.  Emergene,  b.  Dec.  11,  1852. 

3.  John,  b.  Aug.  — ,  1855. 

4.  Ellen  b.  Oct.  15,  1857. 

5.  Emeiiine  E.,  b.  Oct.  18,  1861. 

SMITH  THAYER,  son   of  Joseph  M.,  born  1848  ;  married 
Mary  Brosto  March  18,  1874. 


134  HISTORY   OF   DOUGLAS. 

CHLOE  T.,  daughter  of  Captain  Marvel,  born  1822  :  married 
Smith  Brown  Jan.  1,  1838. 

CHILDREN. 

1.  Thomas  E.,  b.  Jan.  7,  1841. 

2.  Harriet. 

3.  Kate. 

4.  Dana,  b.  April  28,  1849. 

5.  Chloe  S.,  b.  18.50. 

SARAH  S.,  daughter  of  Captain  Marvel,  born  182.5  ;  married 
Luke  Southwick  Dec.  20,  1846. 

CHILDREN. 

1.  Diantha  A.,  b.  April  13,  1847  ;  d.  Sept.  20,  1848. 

2.  Elsie  M.,  b.  March  27,  1848  ;  m. Arnold. 

3.  Chloe  F.,  b.  March  31,  1850  ;  m. Morrill. 

4.  Marvel  W.,  b.  June  4,  1857. 

ELSIE  M.,  daughter  of  Sarah  S.,  born  1848  ;  married  Lyman 
T.  Arnold  Jan.  19,  1869. 

CHLOE  F.,  daughter  of  Sarah  S.,  born  1850 ;  married  Leroy 
D.  Morrill  Jan.  1,  1873. 

LUCINDA,  daughter  of  Captain  Marvel,  born  1827  ;  married 
Lovell  Southwick  April  4,  1853. 

CHILDREN. 

1.  John,  b.  Dec.  26,  1854  ;  d.  Nov.  25,  1855. 

2.  Manly,  b.  March  16,  1856  ;  d.  Sept.  12,  1865. 

3.  Edward,  b.  Oct.  31,  1857 ;  d.  Aug.  20,  1858. 

4.  Wellington,  b.  Oct.  15,  1859. 

5.  Louisa,  b.  Feb.  22,  1864  ;  died  young. 

6.  Ada  May,  b.  Sept.  2,  1868  ;  d.  Sept.  28,  1868. 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND   GENEALOGI(?^L   DEPARTMENT.  185 

GENEALOGY    OF    THE    WALLIS    FA3IILY. 

CHILDREN    OF    THE    FIRST    GENERATION, 

BENJAMIN  WALLIS,  of  Douglas,  born  1723  ;  died  Dec. 
25,  1814;  married  Lydia  Dudley,  of  Sutton,  born  1728;  died 
Oct.  23,  1820. 

CHILDREN. 

1.  Lvdia,  b.  Sept.  10,  1748  ;  d.  1820  ;  m.  Josiah  Humes. 

2.  Benjamin,  Jr.,   b.  March  4,   1751  ;  d.  Jan.    11,   1821  ;  m. 

Sarah  ThaA'er. 

3.  David,  b.  Oct.  16,  1753  ;  d.  May  20,  1827  ;  m.  Bial  Albee. 

4.  Mercy,  b.  Feb.  12,  175fi  ;  d.  Oct.  24,   1824  ;  m.  Capt.  Ben. 

Dudley. 

5.  Martha,  m.  Daniel  Hunt. 

6.  Samuel,  b.  June   12,   1758  ;  d.  Jan.  2,  1848  ;  m.  Hannah 

Dudley. 

7.  James,    b.  Aug.    28,   1761  ;  d.  Aug.  24,   1845  ;  m.   Chloe 

Humes. 

8.  Jonathan,  b.  Feb.  26,  1765  ;  d.  Feb.  28,  1765. 

9.  Aaron,  b.  Sept.   12,  1768  ;  d.  Aug.  9,    1845  ;  m.  Prudence 

Aldiich. 
10.     Peter,  b.  Jan.  22,  1770 ;  d.  Sept.  17,  1775. 

CHILDREN    OF    THE    SECOND    GENERATION. 

BENJAMIN  WALLACE,  Jr.,  first  son  of  Benjamin  and 
Lydia,  b.  March  4,  1751  ;  married  Sarah  Thayer  Feb.  17,  1777  ; 
died  Feb.  25,  1838. 

children. 

1.  Lydia,  b.  Feb.   23,  1778  ;  d.  July  28,  1865  ;  m.  E.  Mack- 

entire. 

2.  Peter,  b.  Dec.  22,  1779  ;  d.  Oct.  29,  1846  ;  married  ^  Han- 

nah Hunt ;  married  ^  Luc}'^  Woodbury. 

3.  Benjamin,  b.  May  28,   1782  ;  d.  May  28,   1864  ;  m.  Annie 

Thayer. 

4.  Sarah,   b.  July   10,   1785;  d.  March  1,  1819;  m.  Samuel 

Dudley. 


186  HISTORY   OP   DOUGLAS. 

5.  Joseph,  b.  Sept.  24,  1788  ;  d.  Oct.  14,  1857  ;  m.  Prudence 

Wallis. 

6.  Moses,  b.  March  17,  1793  ;  d.  Nov.  14,  1842. 

7.  Riifus,  b.  Feb.  24,  1797  ;  d.  Oct.  22, 1853  ;  m.  Molly  Paine. 

DAVID  WALLIS,  2d  son  of  Benjamin  and  Lydia,  born  1753  ; 
married  Bial  Albee,  born  175G  ;  died  April  29,  1831. 

CHILDKEN. 

1.  Da\dd,  b.  May  16, 1780  ;  d.  Jnly  5, 1854  ;  m.  Sybil  Balcome. 

2.  Olive,  b.  Sept.  10,  1781 ;  ui.  Ebenezer  Cragin. 

3.  Jonathan,  b.  Feb.   12,   1785  ;  d.  April  13,  1861  ;  m.  Polly 

Balcome. 

4.  Willard,  b.  Dec.   10,   1787  ;  d.  Dec.  22,   1832  ;  m.  Joanna 

Wallis. 

5.  Prudence,  b.  June  13,  1794  ;  m.  Da\dd  Balcome. 

SAMUEL  WALLIS,  3d  son  of  Benjamin  and  Lydia ;    died 
Jan.  2,  1848  ;  married  Hannah  Dudley  Feb.  21,  1851. 

CHILDKEN. 

1.  William,    b.  Feb.  20,   1784  ;  d.  Nov.  4,   1847  ;  m.   Lydia 

Dudlev. 

2.  Zylpha,  b.  Aug.  14,  1786  ;  d.  Oct  29,  1857  ;  m.  Ezra  Morse. 

3.  Samuel,  b.  May  16,  1789  ;  d.  Aug.  7,  1856. 

4.  Timothy,  b.  Oct.  14,  1791  ;  d.  Aug.  17,  1850  ;  m.  Charlotte 

Balcome. 

5.  Hannah,  b.  May  10,  1794  ;  m.  Fuller  Marsh. 

6.  Nancy,  b.  Feb.  17,   1797  ;    d.   Oct.   22,  1871 ;  m.  Alvah 

White. 

7.  Polly,  b.  Feb.  12,  1800  ;  d.  Oct.  27,  1878. 

8.  John,  b.  Feb.  29,  1802  ;  d.  Oct.   13,   1878  ;  m.  Mary  A. 

Logee. 

9.  Dudley,  b.  March   17,   1804  ;  d.  Jan.  17,  1876  ;  m.  Mary 

A.  Wallis. 

10.  Salem,  b.  Jan  2,    1808 ;    m.  ^  Cj'nthia  A.  Hazelton ;    m. 

^  Maria  L.  Flagg. 

11.  Lorinda,  b.  Jan.  21,  1810. 

12.  Julia,  b.  April  10,  1814;  d.  Nov.  14,  1842. 


BIOGRAPHICAL    AND   GENEALOGICAL   DEPARTMENT.  187 

JAMES  WALLIS,  4th  son  of  Benjamin  and  Lyclia,  bom 
1761 ;  married  Chloe  Humes  ;  died  July  — ,  1840. 

CHILDREN. 

1.  Naham,  b.  July  30,  1781 ;  d.  Aug.  28,  1844,  at  Hardwick  ; 

m.  ^  Susanna  Joslin  ;  married  ~  Zylphia  Turner. 

2.  Ezra,  b.  Feb.  23,  1783 ;  d.  July  20,  1849,  at  Webster;  m. 

^  Debora  Phipps ;  married  '^  Hannah . 

3.  Martha,  b.  Sept.  3,  1785;  d.  Feb.  15,    1870,   in  Webster; 

m. Kingsbur}'. 

4.  James,  Jr.,  b.  Dee.  18,   1789;  d.  Aug.  4,  1875,  at  Brook- 

field  ;  m.  Nancy  Kingsbury. 

5.  Chloe,  b.  Dec.  31,  1799;  d.  Nov.  9,   1833,  at  Pelham;  m. 

Hayden. 

6.  Charlotte,  b.  June  8,  1802;  d.  March  8,  1850,  at  Pelham; 

m.  Austin  Conkey. 

AARON  WALLIS,  6th  son  of  Benjamin  and  Lydia,  born 
1768  ;  married  Prudence  Aldrich  ;  born  July  7,  1769  ;  died  Aug. 
28,  1845. 

CHILDKEN. 

1.  Prudence,  b.  Jul}'  6,  1792;  d.  Oct.   13,  1854;  m.   Joseph 

WalUs. 

2.  Joanna,  b.  Feb.   2,    1796;  d.   Feb.  28,   1858;  m.  WiUard 

Wallis. 

3.  Aaron  A.,  b.  Sept  16,  1799  ;  d.  June  11,  1845  ;  m.  ^  Aurilla 

Aldrich,  -  Submit  Humes. 

4.  Merc3%  b.  Feb.  23,  1807  ;  m.  James  A.  Prentice. 

MERCY,  2d  daughter  of  Benjamin  and  Lydia  Wallis,  died 
Oct.  24,  1824  ;  married  Capt.  Benjajiin  Dudley,  died  Oct.  24, 
1831. 

CHILDREN. 

1.  Anna,  m. Rich. 

2.  Samuel,  Jr.,  m.  Sarah  Wallis. 

3.  Benjamin,  d.  Sept.  29,  1828;  m.  ^PoUy  Putnam,  ^ Nye. 

4.  Mercy,  d.  Feb.  27,  1871. 

5.  PoUy^ 

6.  Lydia,  d.  Feb.  18,  1852  ;  m.  Wm.  Wallis. 

7.  Martha,  m. Putnam. 


188  HISTORY   OF   DOUGLAS. 

MARTHA,  3d  daughter  of  Benjamin  and  Lydia  Wallis,  mar- 
ried Daniel  Hunt. 

CHILDREN. 

1 .  Lydia,  removed  to  the  West. 

2.  Phfebe,  m.  ^ Kinney,  " Boyden. 

3.  John,  b.  April  8,  1793  ;  m.  Huldah  Knowlton. 

4.  Hannah,  b.  1796  ;  d.  Feb.  13,  1818  ;  m.  Peter  Wallis. 

5.  Patty,  m.  Royal  Mann. 

6.  Mary,  b.  Aug.  26,  1799  ;  d.  Jan.  2,  1875,  at  South  Douglas, 

CHILDREN    OF    THE    THIRD    GENERATION. 

PETER  WALLIS,  1st  son  of  Benjamin  and  Sarah,  born  1779  ; 
married  ^Hannah  Hunt  of  Douglas,  died  Feb.  13,  1818;  mar- 
«         ried  ^Lucy  Woodbury  of  Charlton,  died  April  15,  1819. 

CHILDREN. 

1.  Peter  H.,  b.  March  22,  1814  ;  d.  June  9,  1876. 

2.  Julia  Ann,  b.  April  15,  1816  :  d.  in  infancy. 

3.  Julia,  m.  Henry  Sisson. 

4.  Lucy,  b.  May  28,  1821  ;  m.  Daniel  Tucker. 

5.  Sarah,  b.  Jan.  15,  1824;  d.  1853  ;  m.  Uranus  Johnson. 

BENJAMIN  WALLIS,  2d  son  of  Benjamin  and  Sarah,  born 
1782  ;  married  Anna  Thayer. 

CHILD. 

1.     Waldo. 

JOSEPH  WALLIS,   3d   son  of  Benjamin  and  Sarah,  born 
1788  ;  married  Prudence  Wallis  April  23,  1811. 

CHILDREN. 

1.  Dexter,  b.  Jan.  8,  1812  ;  d.  Sept.  16,  1852. 

2.  Mason,  b.  June  24,  1814  ;  d.  Sept.  18,  1852. 

3.  Harriet,  b.  Aug.  29,  1816  ;  d.  April  9,  1878;  m.  Elbridge 

G.  Wallis. 

4.  Joseph  T.,  b.  July  23,  1819  ;  m.  Harriet  M.  Thompson. 

5.  Prudence,  b.  July  29,  1824  ;  d.  Sept.  11,  1854. 

6.  Lydia,   b.  Aug.  11,  1827  ;    d.  July  14,  1857  ;    m.   Charles 

White. 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND   GENEALOGICAL   DEPARTMENT.  189 

7.  George,  b.  Jan.  1,  1830  ;  d.  Dec.  1,  1830. 

8.  Ira,  b.  April  5,  1832  ;  in.  Mary  E.  Young. 

9.  Andrew  J.,  b.  May  2,  1835;  m.  ^  Hattie  M.  Learned,  ^ Mary 

M.  Blair. 

MOSES  WALLIS,  4th  son  of  Benjamin  and  Sarah,  born 
1793  ;  was  never  married,  but  adopted  Elbridge  G.  (son  of  Samuel 
and  Assenith  Smith) ,  whose  name  was  changed  to  Wallace. 

Elbridge  G.  Wallace  married  Harriet  A.  Wallis,  daughter  of 
Joseph  and  Prudence,  May  6,  184 G. 

RTJFUS  WALLIS,  5th  son  of  Benjamin  and  Sarah,  born 
1797;  married  Molly  Paine  ;  born  April  22,  1802  ;  died  April 
29,  1867. 

CHILDREN.   > 

1.  Stephen  P.,  b.  June  26,  1827  ;  d.  July  21,  1859. 

2.  Benjamin  G. ;  m.  ^  Elizabeth  Paine  ;  m.  ^  Amelie  J.  Mosie  ; 

m.  '  Fanny  Luke. 

3.  Elmira,  m.  Simeon  Staples. 

4.  Mary  A.,  m.  Heniy  Morse. 

LYDIA,  1st  daughter  of  Benjamin  and  Sarah,  born  1797; 
married  Alpheus  Mackentire. 

CHILD. 

1.     Lydia,  d.  March  4,  1869. 

SARAH,  2d  daughter  of  Benjamin  and  Sarah,  born  1785  ; 
married  Samuel  Dudley;  pubUshed  Feb.  3,  1805. 

CHILDREN. 

1.  Samuel,  b.  Dec.  24,  1805;  d.  Nov.  25,  1869;  m.  Alger. 

2.  Sarah,  b.  Nov.  15,  1807. 

3.  Azubah,  b.  Aug.  7,  1810;  m.  OUver  W.  Adams,   .Ian.  4, 

1835. 

4.  Benjamin,  b.  Nov.  7,  1813. 

5.  Nelson,  b,  Oct.  16,  1816  ;  m.  Betsey  Elliot. 

DAVID  WALLIS,  1st  son  of  David  and  Bial,  born  1780; 
married  Sybil  Balcome,  born  1781 ;  married  June  24,  1801. 


190  HISTORY   OF   DOUGLAS. 

CHILDREN. 

1.  Jesse,  b.  Nov.  22,  1803  ;  d.  Oct.  5,  1861 ;  m.  '  S.  Alclrich; 

m.  ^  Catharine  Tliompsou. 

2.  Ebenezer,  b.  March  17,  1806;  d.  Feb.  21,  1878;  m.  Nancy 

Kced. 

3.  Maria,  b.  April  28,  1812  ;  married  Jesse  Morse. 

4.  David,  b.  Feb.  11,  1823;  m.  Susan  Stearns. 

JONATHAN    WALLIS,   2d  son  of  David  and  Bial ;    born 
1785  ;  married  Polly  Balcome,  born  Jan.  19,  1792. 

CHILDREN. 

1.  Mary  Ann,  b.  Feb.  13,  1814  ;  d.  Sept.  3,  1875  ;  m. '  Free- 

man Bigelow  ;  m.  ^'  Dudley-  Wallis. 

2.  Nelson,  b.  Aug.  26,  1816  ;  d.  Nov.  19,  1841. 

3.  Elmira,  b.  1828;  d.  Feb.  28,  1829. 

WILLARD  WALLIS,  3d  son  of  David  and  Bial ;  died  Dec. 
23,  1832  ;  married  Jonanna  Wallis  Nov.  26,  1815  ;  died  Feb. 

28,  1858 

CHILDREN. 

1.  Phebe,  m.  Marvel  Prentice. 

2.  Mary,   b.  April  12,  1822  ;  d.  Aug.  19,  1875  ;  m.  William 

A.  Dudley. 

OLIVE,  1st  daughter  of  David  and  Bial ;  born  1781  ;  married 
Ebenezer  Craggin. 

children. 

1.  Elmira,  m.  Isaac  Murphy. 

2.  Willard,  d.  young. 

3.  Prudence,  d.  young. 

4.  Luther  T.,  m.  Betsey  Aldrich. 

5.  Benjamin,  m.  — . 

6.  Cynthia,  m. Learned. 

PRUDENCE,  2d  daughter  of  David  and  Bial,  born  1794  ;  mar- 
ried David  Balcome,  killed  by  the  falling  of  a  tree  Dec.  6,  1838. 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND   GENEALOGICAL    DEPARTMENT.  191 

CHILDREN. 

1.  Fanii}'  J.,  1).  June  G,  181,5. 

2.  Prudence,  b.  March  29,  1828  ;  in.  Levi  Fitts. 

3.  Willard  W.,  b.  March  4,  1831  ;  m.  Betsy  Clark. 

4.  Wellington,  b.  Feb.  27,  1833  ;  m.  Vasliti  Hodgkins. 

WILLIAM  WALLIS,  1st  son  of  Samuel  and  Hannah,  born 
1784  ;  married  Lydia  Dudley  Xov.  29,  1810  ;  died  Feb.  18,  1852. 

CHILDREN. 

/         1.     Frederick,  b.  April  19,  181G  ;  m.  Phebe  Adams. 
2.     L^'dia,  b.  May  31, 1821  ;  m.  William  J.  Wellman. 

TIMOTHY  WALLIS,  3d  sou  of  Samuel  and  Hannah,  born 
1791  ;  married  Charlotte  Balcome  Nov.  28,  1818  ;  died  Dec. 
8,  1863. 

CHILD. 

1.     Nancy  A.,  b.  1821  ;  d.  Jan.  2,  1846  ;  m.  Linus  Young. 

JOHN  WALLIS,  4th  son  of  Samuel  and  Hannah,  born  1802  ; 
married  Mary  Ann  Logee  April  24,  1834  ;  born  July  30,  1810. 

CHILDREN. 

1.  Laura  A.,  b.  Jan.  15,  1832. 

2.  Mary  L.,  b.  Nov.  15,  1834  ;  d.  Aug.  24,  1837. 

3.  George  M.,  b.  Aug.  6,  1836. 

4.  John  W.,  b  July  30,  1846  ;  d.  Aug.  7,  1848. 

5.  Henry  D.,  b.  July  28,  1850. 

SALEM  WALLIS,  6th  son  of  Samuel  and  Hannah,  born  1808  ; 
married  '  Cynthia  Ann  Hazelton  Oct.  29,  1840  ;  married  '  Maria 
L.  Flagg. 

No  children  bj-  fii'st  wife. 

CHILD. 

1.     C^-nthia,  b.  Jan.  21,  1849  ;  m.  Wm.  Church. 

ZYLPHIA.  1st  daughter  of  Samuel  and  Hannah,  died  Oct.  29, 
1857  ;  married  Ezra  Morse  Aug.  20,  1807  ;  died  Jan.  28,  1853. 


192  HISTORY   OF   DOUGLAS. 

CHILDREN. 

1.  Hannah,  b.  Dec.  9,  1807  ;  m.  Nelson  Potter  Dec.  8,  1830. 

2.  Submit,  b.  April  17,  181 1  ;  in.  Nelson  Potter  Sept.  10,  1834. 

3.  Sally,  b.  July  22,  1813  ;  m.  Ebenezer  Tuttle  April  27,  1839. 

4.  Harriet,  b.  Jan.  10,  1816;  m.  Reuben  Yeats. 

5.  John  W.,  b.  Jan.  11,  1820  ;  m.  Hulclab  White. 

6.  Brighani,  b.  June  1,    1822;  m.  '  Sarah  Lawrence,  ^  Maria 

L.  Humes. 

7.  Samuel,  b.  Sept.  3,  1825  ;  d.  Aug.  26,  1857. 

8.  Ezra,  b.  Nov.  7,  1827;  m.  Marion  Smith. 

9.  Henry,  b.  April  4,  1832  ;  m.  Mary  Wallis. 

HANNAH,  2d  daughter  of  Samuel  and  Hannah,  born  1794; 
married  Fuller  Marsh  Dec.  4,  1814;  born  Nov.  3,  1789;  died 
May  30,  1839. 

CHILDREN. 

1.  Judson,  b.  Oct.  22,  1816;  m.  Sarah  M.  Jepherson   April  1, 

1841. 

2.  Thomas,  b.  April  19,  1831 ;  resides  in  Minnesota. 

NANCY.  3d  daughter  of  Samuel  and  Hannah,  died  Oct.  22, 
1871  ;  married  Alvah  White,  died  Sept.  2,  1846. 

CHILDREN. 

1.  Danforth,  d.  in  Lancaster,  Pa. 

2.  Mary  A.,  married  ^  Elijah  Bigelow  ;  married  j Weeks ; 

"d.  May  20,  1821. 

3.  Dandrich,  resides  in  Pennsj'lvania. 

4.  Nelson,  d.  in  Waltham  ;  m.  Mary  Green. 

5.  Howard,  d.  in  Nebraska  ;  m.  Sophia  Remly. 

6.  Julia  Ann,  m.  Silas  Dudle3\ 

NAHUM  WALLIS,  1st  son  of  James  and  Chloe,  died  Aug. 
28,  1844  ;  married  ^  Susanna  Joslyn  ;  married  ^  Zylphia. 

CHILDREN. 

1.  Maria. 

2.  Nahum,  Jr.,  resides  in  Otter  River,  Mass. 

3.  Toba,  resides  in  Providence,  R.  I. 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND   GENEALOGICAL   DEPARTMENT.  193 

4.  Brigham,  resides  in  Ashburnham. 

5.  James. 

6.  Earle.  _ 

7.  Mary,  resides  in  (lardiner,  Mass. 

8.  Frances,  resides  in  Meriden,  Conn. 

9.  Franklin,  resides  in  Orange,  Mass. 

10.  Austin,  resides  in  Worcester,  Mass. 

11.  Sumner,  resides  in  AYorcester,  Mass. 

12.  Ilattie,  resides  in  Worcester,  Mass. 

EZRA  WALLIS,  2d  son  of  James  and  Cliloe,  died  July  20, 
1849  ;  married  ^  Deborah  Phillips  ;  married  '^  Hannah  Rawson. 
of  Norwich,  Conn. 

CHILDREN. 

1.  Celestia,  m.  Wilder. 

2.  Martha. 

JAMES  WALLIS,  Jr.,  8d  son  of  James  and  Chloe.  died 
Aug.  4,  1875  ;  married  Nancy  Kingsbury. 

OHILBREN. 

1.  Juha  Ann.  b.  March  IG,  1815;  d.  Oct.  2(J,  1820. 

2.  Laura  K.,  b.  Jan.  11,  1821  ;  m.  L.  H.  Thompson. 

MARTHA,  1st  daughter  of  James  and  Chloe,  died  Feb.  15, 
1870  ;  married  Joseph  Kingsbury. 

CHILDREN. 

1.  Da^dd,  resides  in  Chicago,  111. 

2.  Joseph,  resides  in  Webster,  Mass. 

3.  Lucy. 

CHLOE,  2d  daughter  of  .James  and  Chloe,  died  Nov.  9,  1833  ; 
married Hayden,  of  Pelham. 

CHILDREN. 

1.  Charles. 

2.  Caroline. 

3.  .Josephine,  d.  in  Worcester;  m.  Kice. 

4.  Milo. 

13 


194  HISTORY    OF   DOUGLAS. 

CHARLOTTE,  3d   daughter   of  James   and   Chloe ;  married 
Austin  Conkey;  died  March  8,  1850. 
Four  children. 

AARON"  A.  WALLIS,  only  sonof  Aaron  and  Prudence,  born 
1799;  married  '  Aurilla  Aldrich  Sept.  26,  1824,  died  May  22, 
1826;  2  Submit  Humes  Nov.  14,  1832,  born  June  30,  1807,  died 
Aug.  5,  1865. 

CHILDREN. 

1.  Aurilla,  b.  May  22,  1826 ;  d.  Nov.  12,  1838. 

2.  Milton,  b.  July  3,  1833  ;  d.  Sept.  29,  1836. 

3.  Marcus  M.,  b.  April  14,  1837,  resides  in  Case}^,  Iowa;  m. 

Lola  A.  Cook. 

4.  Luretta,  b.  March  1,  1839. 

5.  Mary  A.  Webster,  b.  Sept.  1,  1841  ;  in.  Otis  M.  Clark. 

MERCY,  3d  daughter  of  Aaron  and  Prudence,  born  1807; 
married  James  A.  Prentice  April  3,  1832. 

CHILDREN. 

1.  Lusatia,  b.  May  21,  1837  ;  d.  Jan.,  1838. 

2.  George  Wallis,  b.  Jan.  29,  1839. 

3.  Marietta,  b.  Oct.,  1841  ;  d.  Sept.,  1843. 

4.  Altha  L.,  b.  Dec,  1842;  d.  1843. 

5.  Elton  A.,  b.  1847;  d.  Sept.,  1849. 

6.  Luther  Q.,  b.  July,  1850;  m. Tellotson,  March,  1871. 


CHILDREN    OF   THE    FOURTH    GENERATION. 

LUCY  W.,  1st  daughter  of  Peter  and  Lucy,  born   1821 ;  mar- 
ried Samuel  H.  Tucker  Sept.  11,  1843. 

CHILDREN. 

1.  Jonas  W.,  Downer  Grove,  Illinois;  m.  Isabella  Hammond 

Oct.  15,  1872. 

2.  Mary  L.,  m.  Jason  West,  March,  1867. 

3.  Juha  S.,  m.  Albert  R.  Jones,  Oct.  8,  1873. 

4.  Frank  D.,  West  Sutton;  m.  Mary  A.  BuUard  Jan.  2,  1878. 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND   GENEALOGICAL    DEPARTMENT.  195 

5.  Hattie  E.,  Dudley;  m.  Abel  Marsh,  Nov.  21,  1877. 

6.  Sarah  A. 

7.  Martha  A. 

8.  George  N. 

9.  Ellen  L. 

SARAH,  2cl  daughter  of  Peter  and  Lucy  Wallis,  born  1824; 
married  Uranus  Johnson. 

CHILDKEN. 

1.  Henry. 

2.  Sarah,  m. Putnam. 

JOSEPPI  T.  WALLIS,  3d  son  of  Joseph  and  Prudence,  born 
1819 ;  married  Harriet  M.  Thompson  Jan.  2,  1856. 

CHILDREN. 

1.  Orissa  A.,  b.  Nov.  18,  1856. 

2.  WilUe  R.,  b.  Sept.  8,  1860. 

IRA  WALLIS,  4th  son  of  Joseph  and  Prudence,  born  1832; 
married  Mary  E.  Young  Aug.  12,  1863. 

CHILD. 

1.     Charles  Edson,  b.  July  30,  1864. 

ANDREW  J.  WALLIS,  5th  son  of  Joseph  and  Prudence, 
born  1835;  married  ^  Hattie  N.  Learned  June  20,  1858;  married 
2  Mary  M.  Blair,  of  Maine,  May  11,  1875. 

CHILD. 

1.     LilUa  M.,  b.  Jan.  14,  1867  ;  d.  June  18,  1867. 

HARRIET  A.,  1st  daughter  of  Joseph  and  Prudence,  born 
1816  ;  married  Elbridge  G.  Wallis  May  6,  1846. 

children. 

1.  Munro  M.,  b.  June  4,  1849. 

2.  Ellen  F.,  b.  Aug.  24,  1850;  m.  W.  L.  Reynolds  Oct.   4, 

1871. 

3.  Sarah  J.,  b.  Sept.  26,  1852  ;  m.  Bowers  Davis. 

LYDIA,  3d  daughter  of  Joseph  and  Prudence,  born  1827 ; 
married  Ch.irles  White  March  26,  1856. 


196  HISTORY   OF   DOUGLAS. 

CHILD. 

1.     Sarah  Ellen,  b.  April  11,  1857. 

BENJAMIN  G.  WALLIS,  2d  son  of  Rufus  and  Molly; 
married  'Elizabeth  Paine;  married  'Amelia  J.  Mosie;  mar- 
ried ^  Fanny  Metcalf. 

CHILDKEN. 

1.  Charles  Henry,  b.  Feb.  25,  1855. 

2.  Frank  D.,  b.  Aug.  21,  1857. 

3.  One  child;  d.  in  infancy. 

ELMIRA,  1st  daughter  of  Rufus  and  Moll}- ;  married  Simeon 
Staples. 

child. 

1.     One  daughter;  d.  in  infancy. 

MARY  A.,  2d  daughter  of  Rufus  and  Molly;  married  Hent^y 
MoRSE  June  5,  1854. 

children. 

1.  Fred.  3.     Josie. 

2.  Willie.  4.     Eddie. 

JESSE  WALLIS,  1st  son  of  David  and  Sybil,  born  1803  ; 
married  '  S.  Aldrich  March  3, 1833  ;  married  ^  Catherine  Thomp- 
son July  15,  1852. 

CHILD, 

1.     Harriet  M.,  b.  May  23,  1853 ;  m.  Benson. 

EBENEZER  WALLIS,  2d  son  of  David  and  Sybil,  born 
1806  ;  married  Nancy  Reed  Oct.  18,  1827. 

CHILDREN. 

1.  Laura  Ann,  m.  John  Esten  Juh^  1,  1847. 

2.  Elmira,  m.  C.  M.  Sprague  Nov.  1,  1849. 

DAVID  WALLIS,  3d  son  of  David  and  Sybil;  married 
Susan  Stearns. 


BIOGRAPHICAL    AND   GENEALOGICAL   DEPARTMENT.         197 

CHILDKEN. 

1.  Sybil  Maria,  b.  May  27,  1843 ;  d.  Oct.  27,  1846. 

2.  Susan  S.,  b.  May  28,  1845;  d.  Sept.  28,  1849. 

3.  David  A.  E.,  b.  Feb.  24,  1854. 

^PHEBE,    1st    daughter    of    Willard    and   Joanna;    married 
Marvel  Prentice  Jan.,  1841. 

CHILDREN. 

1.  Mary  D.,  b.  Aug.  11,  1842. 

2.  Willard  W.,  b.  Aug.  2,  1845. 

3.  Newton,  b.  Oct.,  1847;   d.  Aug.,  1849. 

MARY,  2d  daughter  of  WiUard  and  Joan,  born  1822  ;  mar- 
ried William  A.  Dudley  Nov.  20,  1844. 

FREDERICK   WALLIS,  son  of  William  and  Lydia,  born 
1816  ;  married  Phebe  Adams. 

children. 

1.  Sarah,  b.  Aug.  24,  1842  ;  m.  Parker. 

2.  Mary  E.,  b.  July  3,  1847  ;  d.  Sept.  15,  1852. 

3.  Emma,  b.  March,  1848  ;  d.  Aug.  31, 1877  ;  m. Arnold. 

LYDIA,  daughter  of  William  and  Lydia,  born  1821  ;  married 
William  J.  Wellman  May  4,  1843. 

*  CHILDREN. 

1.  Frances. 

2.  William  H.,  b.  Nov.  2,  1853  ;  m. Smith. 

3.  Mary  C. 

NANCY  A.,  daughter  of  Timothy  and  Chariotte,  born  1821 ; 
married  Linus  Young  June  22,  1842. 

CHILDREN. 

1.  Mary  E.,  b,  Oct.  29,  1843  ;  m.  Ira  Wallis. 

2.  Nancy  A.,  d.  Sept.  20,  1846. 

CYNTHIA,  daughter  of  Salem  and  Maria,  born  1849  ;  mar- 
ried William  Church. 


198  HISTORY   OF   DOUGLAS. 

CHILDREN. 

1.  Louise  Wallis,  b.  Nov.  22,  1875. 

2.  Harold  WilUam,  b.  Sept.  10,  1877. 

LAURA  K.,  daughter  of  James  and  Nanc3\  born  1821 ;  mar- 
ried L.  H.  Thompson  Jan.  14,  1841. 

CHILD. 

1.     Laura  Augusta,  m.  David  S.  Lawrence. 


CHILDREN    OF    THE    FIFTH    GENERATION. 

HARRIET    M.,  daughter   of  Jesse   and   Catharine   Wallis, 
married  Major  Benson  May  13,  1872. 

CHILDREN. 

1.  Katie  Mabel,  b.  Oct.  20,  1873. 

2.  Eva  May,  b.  Oct.  7,  1875. 

3.  Willie  M.,  b.  Dec.  2,  1877. 

LAURA  ANN",  1st  daughter  of  Nancy  and  Ebenezer  WalKs  ; 
married  John  Esten  July  1,  1847. 

CHILDREN. 

1.  Juliette. 

2.  Dora. 

SARAH  JANE,  2d  daughter  of  Elbridge    G.   and   Harriet 
Wallis  ;  married  Bowers  Davis  June  10,  1877. 

CHILD. 

1.     Harriet  W. 

SARAH,  1st  daughter  of  Frederick  and  Phebe  WalUs  ;   mar- 
ried George  Parker. 

CHILDREN. 

1.  Mary  A.,  b.  Aug.  15,  1858. 

2.  LydiaM.,  b.  July  6,  1860. 

EMMA,  2d  daughter  of  Frederick  and  Phebe  Wallis  ;  married 
Joseph  T.  Arnold. 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND   GENEALOGICAL   DEPARTMENT.         199 

MARCUS  M.  WALLIS,  son  of  Aaron  and  .Submit;  married 
Lola  A.  Cook,  of  Casey,  Iowa,  July  24.  1872. 

CHILDKEN. 

1.  Frank  L.,  b.  March  26,  1873. 

2.  Arthur  C,  b.  Aug.  18,  1875. 

3.  Maud  E.,  b.  March  20,  1877. 

MARY  A.,  daughter  of  Aaron  and  Submit  Wallis  ;  married 
Otis  N.  Clark,  of  Webster,  Jan.  1,  1864. 

CHILDKEN. 

1.  Carrie  E.,  b.  March  9,  1866. 

2.  Arthur  M.,  b.  May  29,  1868. 

3.  Jennie  M.,  b.  Oct.  20,  1874. 


GENEALOGY    OF  THE    WHIPPLE    FAMILY. 

JOHN  WHIPPLE  was  born  1716.     He  lived  in  the  town  of 


ILU 

ueiu.      xiis  wue  s  j 

lame  was  oakaj 

CHILDREN. 

u  

— ,    UUIII    J 

1. 

Sarah. 

5. 

Daniel. 

2. 

Christopher. 

6. 

Phebe. 

3. 

John. 

7. 

Amy. 

4. 

Anna. 

8. 

Abigail, 

JOHN  WHIPPLE,  son  of  John,  born  1748  ;    died  April  7, 
1836  ;  married  Eunice  Ellis  May  24,  1770  ;  died  April  11,  1845. 


CHILDREN. 


1.  Welcome,  b.  Sept.  12,  1772  ;  d.  Nov.  18,  1852. 

2.  Oliver,  b.  July  12,  1775. 

3.  Jabez  E.,  b.  March  18,  1779. 

4.  Nancy,  b.  April  27,  1781. 

5.  John,  b.  Dec.  31,  1783. 

6.  Martin,  b.  Dec.  17,  1786. 


200  HISTORY   OP   DOUGLAS. 

WELCOME  WHIPPLE,  son  of  John,  bom  1772  ;  married 
Amy  Whipple,  born  Sept.  7,  1773  ;  married  1796  ;  died  Nov.  18, 
1851. 

CHILDREN. 

1.  Milton  D.,  b.  Dec.  3,  1797  ;  m.  Lucy  Perry  Jan.  1,  1822. 

2.  Virgil,  b.  May  20,  1799  ;  d.  Jan.  13,  1835. 

3.  Cullen,  b.  Sept.  4,  ISOl. 

4.  Justin  B.,  b.  July  6,  1803  ;  m. Packard. 

5.  Mary  Ann,  b.  Sept.  24,  1806 ;  m.  Sprague. 

6.  Homer  B.,  b.  June  12,  1808  ;  m. Emerson. 

7.  Dryden  E.,  b.  March  14,  1811 ;  d.  Aug.  9,  1811. 

8.  Ardalissa,  b.  Sept.  17,  1813;  m.  Norbury. 

MILTON  D.  WHIPPLE,  son  of  Welcome,  born  1797;  mar- 
ried Lucy  Perry  Jan.  1,  1822. 

CHILDREN. 

1.  Lyman    W.,    b.    Dec.    19,    1824;    m.    ^ Lane;    m. 

~ Markman. 

2.  .  Lucy  A.,  b.  Feb.  12,  1832;  m. Town. 

3.  Randall  M.,  b.  March  12,  1835;  d.  Sept.  5,  1873. 

LYMAN  W.  WHIPPLE,  son  of  Milton  D.,  born  1824;  mar- 
ried ^  Meribaii  E.  Lane  Dec.  19,  1857  ;  married  "^Carrie  Mark- 
man. 

LUCY  A.,  daughter  of  Milton  D.,  born  1832  ;  manied  Hora- 
tio Town  Dec.  3,  1856. 

children. 

1.  Frank,  d.  in  infancy. 

2.  Carrie,  d.  in  infancy. 

3.  Lucy,  d.  in  infancy. 

VIRGIL  WHIPPLE,  son  of  Welcome,  born  1799  ;  married 
Almira  Sprague  July  10,  1823  ;  born  May  4,  1803. 

CHILDREN. 

1.  Eliza  Ann,  b.  Nov.  22,  1823  ;  d.  Nov.  17,  1832. 

2.  Amy  Angeliue,  b.  June  1,  1828;  d.  Jan.  7,  1833.      . 

CULLEN  WHIPPLE,  son  of  Welcome,  born  1801  ;  married 
^Philinda  Sprague  April  1,  1824;  married^ Mary  Viall. 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND   GENEALOGICAL   DEPARTMENT.  201 

CHILDREN. 

1.  Angeline,  b.  March  13,  1833  ;  in.  William  H.  Shattuck. 

2.  George  Cullen,  b.  Sept.  17,  1843  ;  d.  Oct.  31,  1875. 

3.  Walter  Scott,  b.  July  16,  1849  ;  cl.  March  5,  1873. 

JUSTIN  B.  WHIPPLE,  son  of  Welcome,  born  1803;  mar- 
ried LucETTA  Packard  April  26,  1827. 

CHILDREN. 

1.  James  P.,  b.  March  16,  1828;  d.  May  8,  1828. 

2.  Henry    O.,    b.   March   26,   1830;    d.'  Jan.    ">,     1878;    m. 

Choron. 

3.  Charles  A.,  b.  July  13,  1832;  m.  Belden. 

HENRY   O.  WHIPPLE,  son  of  Justin  B.,  born  1830  ;  mar- 
ried OcTAviA  R.  Choron  Aug.  20,  1867. 

CHARLES   A.  WHIPPLE,   son  of  Justin  B.,  born  1832; 
married  Clarinda  Belden  Aug.  25,  1852. 

CHILDREN. 

1.  Adella,  b.  June  18,  1853. 

2.  Elwin  F.,  b.  Feb.  20,  1857. 

3.  Inez  E.,  b.  March  9,  1867. 

ADELLA  E.,  daughter  of  Charles  A.,    born  1853  ;  married 
Walter  M.  Adams,  in  East  Douglas,  Sept.  8,  1872. 

CHILDREN. 

1.  Edna  May,  b.  Dec.  1,  1874. 

2.  Ethel  L.,  b.  Nov.  12,  1876. 

MARY    ANN,    daughter   of  Welcome ;    married    Jonathan 
Sprague  Oct.  17,  1826. 

CHILDREN. 

1.  Welcome  W.,  b.  Feb.  16,  1828  ;   m.  Rawson. 

2.  Homer  B.,  b.  Oct.  19,  1829  ;  m. Pardee. 

3.  Frances  M.,  b.  Sept:  13,  1831  ;  m.  Morse. 

4.  Charles  A.,  b.  Feb.  24,  1834  ;  m.  Pattison. 

5.  Solon  S.,  b.  March  5,  1836  ;  m Stevens. 


202  HISTORY  OF  DOUGLAS. 

6.  Mary  Ann,  b.  Feb.  8,  1838  ;  d.  Sept.  20,  1864  ;  m.  

Day. 

7.  J.  Almoran,  b.  May  20,  1844  ;  d.  Sept.  18,  1864. 

8.  Flora  Emma,  b.  Feb.  5,  1847  ;  m. Prentice. 

9.  PhiUnda.  b.  Feb.  24,  1849  ;  d.  Feb.  28,  1850. 

WELCOME  W.    SPRAGUE,  son  of  Mary  Ann,  born  1828  ; 
married  Mary  T.  Rawson  July  1,  1846. 

CHILDRElir. 

1.     Frederick.  2.     Homer  Baxter. 

PROF.  HOMER   B.  SPRAGUE,  son  of  Mary  Ann.  born 
1829  ;  married  Antoinette  E.  Pardee  Dec.  28,  1854. 

CHILDREN. 

1.  Charles  Homer,  b.  July  21,  1856  ;  m.  Jennie  S.  Starbuck 

Aug.  11,  1877. 

2.  Sarah  Antoinette,  b.  Dec.  24,  1858. 

3.  William  Pardee,  b.  June  24, 1860. 

4.  Goldwin  Smith,  b.  Oct.  17,  1869. 

FRANCES  M.,  daughter  of  Mary  Ann,  born  1831 ;  married 
Mason  Morse  Nov.  14,  1850. 

children. 

1.  Scotto.  3.     Frank. 

2.  Charles  Augustus. 

SCOTTO  MORSE,    son   of    Frances   M. ;   married   Harriet 
Jones. 

CHILDREN. 

1.  Harriet.  3.  Harlan  Jason. 

2.  Lulu. 

CHARLES  A.  SPRAGUE,  sou  of  Mary  Ann,    born  1834 ; 
married  Sarah  M.  Pattison  May  17,  1860. 

CHILDREN. 

1.     Carrie.  2.     Alice  May. 

SOLON  S.  SPRAGUE,  son  of  Mary  Ann,  born  1836;  mar- 
ried Caroline  E.  Stevens  Nov.  16,  1863. 


BIOGRAPHICAL    AND   GENEALOGICAL   DEPARTMENT.  203 

CHILDKEN. 

1.  "Walter,  m,  Augustus  Coates. 

2.  Adaline  Estella. 

3.  Aleck  Almoran. 

FLORA  EMMA,  daughter  of  Mary  Ann,  born  1847  ;  married 
^  Byron  Prentice  Sept  11,  1864;  married  ^Harding  Allen,  Jr., 
Nov.  22,  1870. 

CHILD. 

1.     Frances  May  Prentice. 

MARY  ANN,  daughter  of  Mary  Ann,  born  1838;  married 
Daniel  P.  Day  Jan.  3,  1856. 

HOMER  B.  WHIPPLE,  son  of  Welcome,  born  1808;  mar- 
ried Prudence  Emerson  Sept.  15,  1831. 

CHILD, 

1.     Ida  Isabel,  b.  Oct.  31,  1848;  m.  Selby. 

IDA  ISABEL,    daughter   of  Homer  B.,  born    1848;  married 

William  Z.  Selby. 

children. 

1.  Homer  J.,  b.  Feb.  18,  1869. 

2.  Carrie  Bell,  b.  July  13,  1871. 

3.  Ella  Elizabeth. 

ARDALISSA,  daughter  of  Welcome,  born  1813 ;  married 
Benson  Norbury  Dec.  16,  1851. 

CHILD. 

1.     Frederick,  b.  June,  1854;  d.  Aug.,  1854. 

JOHN  WHIPPLE,  son  of  John,  born  1748;  manied  Patty 
Sibley  Sept.  18, 1805  ;  born  1785. 

CHILDREN. 

1.  Amanda,  b.  Feb.  14,  1806. 

2.  Rachel,  b.  March  9,  1810. 

3.  Dexter,  b.  Apiil  24,  1816. 

4.  McDonough  T.,  b.  Oct.  19,  1818. 


204  HISTORY   OF   DOUGLAS. 

AMANDA,    daughter   of  John,    bom    1806;  married   Orrin 
Packmid  Oct.,  1828. 

CHILD. 

1.     Caroline  A.,  b.  Dec.  1,  1828;  m. Gardner. 

CAROLINE,  daughter  of  Amanda,  born  1829;  married  Wm. 
Gardner  Maj'  29,  1851. 

RACHEL,  born  1810;  married  Willakd  TaftNov.  11,  1830. 

DEXTER  WHIPPLE,  son  of  John,  born  1816  ;  married '  Cak- 

OLiNE  Stone  Nov.  30,  1837  ;  married  '^Prudence  Park  Aug.  23, 

1877. 

children. 

1.  Mary  E.,  b.  June  1,  1839  ;  d.  July  4,  1839. 

2.  Juliette  A.,  b.  Dec.  19,  1840;  m.  Keyes. 

3.  Lucius  S.,  b.  May  19, 1843  ;  m.  ' Whitney,  ^ Pitts. 

4.  Julius  D.,  b.  May  3,  1847. 

JULIETTE    A.,   daughter   of  Dexter,    born    1840;    married 
Charles  G.  Keyes,  Esq.,  Nov.  6,  1860 

children. 

1.  Charles  Dexter,  b.  June  7,  1864. 

2.  Carrie  Edith,  b.  June  5,  1868;  d.  Dec.  24,  1872. 

3.  May  Juliette,  b.  May  14,  1872 ;  d.  Jan.  4,  1873. 

LUCIUS  S.  WHIPPLE,  son  of  Dexter,  born  1843;  manied 

^Harriet  Whitney  Oct.  8,  1867;  married  -Maria  W.  Pitts  Dec. 

16,  1873. 

child. 

1.     Annie  W.,  b.  March  27,  1870. 

McDONOUGH  T.    WHIPPLE,    son   of  John,    born    1818; 
married  Mary  B,  Taft  Feb.  8,  1842. 

CHILDREN. 

1.  Francis  D.,  b.  Oct.  23,    1842;    m.  ^ Hill;    m. « 

Rogers. 

2.  John  B.,  b.  March  10,  1848  ;  m. Taft. 

3.  Amanda  L.,  b.  March  15,  1852  ,  m. Putnam. 


BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL    DEPARTMENT.  205 

FRANCIS  D.  WHIPPLE,  son  of  McDouougliT.,  born  1842  ; 
married  '  IsAUELLA  Hill  Oct.  1,  1863;  died  Jnly  19,  1865;  mar- 
ried ''  Emma  T.  Rogers  April  8,  1866. 

CHILDREN. 

1.  William  McDouougli,  I).  Nov.  25,  1867;  d.  April  20,  1876. 

2.  Mary  Isabella,  b.  May  5,  1871. 

JOHN  B.  WHIPPLE,  son  of  McDonough  T.,  born  1848; 
married  Martha  J.  Taft,  of  Blackstone,  Sept.  2,  1868. 

CHILD. 

1.     Martha  Louise,  b.  March  10,  1878. 

AMANDA  L.,  daughter  of  McDonongh  T.,  born  1852;  mar- 
ried J.  Hall  Putnam  Dec.  13,  1871 ;  born  Feb.  8,  1849. 

CHILD. 

1.     Millia,  b.  June  30,  1874;  d.  Sept.  23,  1874. 

MARTIN  WHIPPLE,  .5th  son  of  John  Whipple,  2d,  was  a 
boat-builder  by  trade.  When  a  young  man  he  went  to  Boston 
from  his  home  in  Sutton,  to  transact  business,  and  was  never 
heard  from  afterwards. 


GENEALOGY    OP    THE   STONE    FAMILY. 

DESCENDANTS    OF    ARCHELAUS    STONE. 

ARCHELAUS  STONE,  of  East  Douglas,  died  Jan.  1,  1856 
married  Rhoda  Tiffany  Ma^-  29,  1814. 

CKILDKEX. 

1.  ^Almira. 

2.  Caroline,  b.  April  7,  1817;    d.    Jul}'   14,    1876;    m. 

Whipple. 

3.  Julia  A.,  b.  Dec.  29,  1818  ;  m. Emmons. 

4.  David,  b.  Oct.   2,    1820;    m.    ^ Kimpton  ;    m. 

Knapp  ;  m.  ^ Grey. 

5.  Edwin,  b.  May  15,  1822 ;  m. Town. 


206  HISTORY    OF   DOUGLAS. 

6.  ^Almira,  b.  May  8,  1824 ;  m. Huse. 

7.  William,  b.  May  27,  1826 ;  m. Ward. 

8.  Etherliiida,  1).  May  14,  1828;  m. Collar. 

9.  Frances,  b.  March  29,  1830. 

10.  Sarah  A.,  b.  Feb.  15,  1832  ;  m. Stone. 

11.  Anjenette,  b.  Oct.  21,  1834;  d.  Dec.   14,    185G ;  m.  

Clark. 

12.  George  Henry,  b.  Sept.  23,  1837;  d.  Dec.  5,  1847. 

CAROLINE,  daughter  of  Archelaus,  born  1817;  married  Dex- 
ter Whipple  Nov.  30,  1837. 

CHILDBEIir. 

1.  Mary  E.  3.     Lucius  S. 

2.  Juliette  A.  4.     Julius  D. 

See  Whipple  Genealog3\ 

JULIA  A.,  daughter  of  Archelaus,  born  1818;  married  Nel- 
son Emmons  Oct.  28,  1847. 

CHILD. 

1.     Emma  A.,  m.  Alphonso  Luther. 
See  Hunt  Genealog}'. 

DAVID  STONE,  son  of  Archelaus,  born  1820  ;  married '  Eliza 
KiMPTON  Aug.  15,  1843,  died  Feb.  5,  1846;  married  "Fanny 
Knapp  Sept.    2,  1846,    died  Jan.  23,   1855;   married  ^  Dora  C. 

Grey. 

children. 

1.  Burnette  Eliza,  b.  July  23,  1844;  m. Moore. 

2.  Louis  Herbert,  b.  May  1,  1850. 

3.  David. 

EDWIN  STONE,  son  of  Archelaus,  born  1822;  married 
Mary  Ann  Town  Jan.  24,  1847. 

CHILD. 

1.     Mary  Ellen,  m.  ^  Hii'am  Cresman  ;  m.  . 


ALMIRA,    2d   daughter    of  Archelaus,    born   1824;   married 
Geo.  W.  Huse  March  27,  1845. 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND   GENEALOGICAL   DEPARTMENT.  207 

CHILD. 

1.     Charles  H.,  b.  Aug.  7,  1856. 

WILLIAM  STONE,  son  of  Archelaus,  born  1826  ;  married 
RuTHEM  Ward,  of  Oppenheiiu,  New  York. 

CHILDREN. 

1.  William  Henry,  b.  Nov.  17,  1859. 

2.  Angenette  E.,  b.  April  12,  1862. 

ETHERLINDA,  daughter  of  Archelaus,  born  1828  ;    married 
John  Coller  July  7,  1846  ;  born  May  5,  1822. 

CHILDREN. 

1.  Mary  Elizabeth,  b.  March  16,  1847;  m. Moore. 

2.  George  Henry,  b.  Nov.  7,  1855. 

MARY  ELIZABETH,   daughter  of  EtherUnda,   born   1847  ; 
married  Wm.  H.  Moore  June  2,  1870. 

CHILD. 

1.     Helen  Paulene,  b.  Aug.  18,  1872. 

SARAH  A.,   daughter    of   Archelaus,    born    1832 ;    married 
Archelaus  H.  Stone  Nov.  4,  1851. 

CHILD. 

1.     Carrie,  b  1855  ;  m.  Irving  Holden  Nov.  13,  1878. 

ANJENETTE,  daughter  of  Archelaus,  born  1834  ;  married 
Rev.  Wm.  C.  Clark  March  24,  1852  ;  died  Dec.  14,  1856. 

No  children. 


CHAPTER    XV. 


BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL CONTINUED. 


RAWSON  FA]>nLY. 

BEAUTIFUL  volume,  entitled  ''The  Raw- 
son  Family  Memorial,"  gives  us  the  fol- 
lowing genealogical  table  of  the  Rawson 
family.  The  work  bears  the  name  of  E.  B- 
Crane  : 

^  Edward  Rawson,  so  far  as  has  been 
ascertained,  was  the  progenitor  of  all  bear- 
ing the  name  of  Rawson  in  the  United 
States,  with  two  exceptions.  The  first, 
James  Rawson,  A.  M.,  M.  D.,  a  Methodist 
Episcopal  clergyman,  who  came  to  this  country  from  England  in 
1832,  and  is  supposed  to  have  died  in  Virginia  Aug.  26,  1854 ; 
the  second  came  to  the  United  States  about  1840,  and  settled  at 
Utica,  N.  Y.     His  grand-parents  still  reside  in  England. 


FIRST    GENERATION. 


^  EDWARD    RAWSON,    of  England,  born  April  16,  1615 ; 
married  Rachel  Perne, 

CHILDREN. 

1.     ,  a  daughter. 

2.  Edward. 

3.  Rachel  B.,  m.  William  Aubrey. 

4.  David,  b.  May  6,  1644. 

5.  Mary  Perne,  b.  May  14  or  16,  1646  ;  m.  Rev.  Sam'lTorrey 

May  15,  1657. 


BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL —  CONTINUED.         209 

6.  Susan  1).,  d.  1G54. 

7.  William,  1).  May  21, 1G51  ;  m.  Anne  Glover  July  11,  1673. 

8.  Kebecca,  b.  Oct.  19,  IGoG  ;  d.  young. 

9.  Rebecca,  b.  May  23,  16o0  ;  ni.  Thomas  Ramse3^ 

10.  Elizabeth,    1).   Nov.   12,    l(\i)7 ;    m.    Thos.    Brougham,  of 

Boston, 

11.  John,  went  to  England. 

12.  Grindal,  b.  Jan.  23.    1G.j9  ;  m.   Susau'i^a  Wilson  Feb.   6, 

17ir>. 

GRINDAL   RAW.SON.  2d;   married  Susanna  Wilson;    d. 
Feb.  G,  1715. 

CHILDREN. 

1.  Edward,  d.  Nov.  21,  1683. 

2.  Edward,  b.  1684  ;  d.  Nov.  21,  1688. 

3.  John,  b.  April  26,  1685  ;  d.  May  26,  1685. 

4.  Susanna,  b.  Oct.  31,  1686;  m.  Benj.  Ke3'nolds  1719. 

5.  Edmund,  b.  Jul}'  8,  1689  ;  m.  Elizabeth  Howard. 

6.  Wilson,  b.  June  23,  1692  ;  m.  Margaret  Arthur. 

7.  John,  b.  Oct.  1,  1695  ;  m.  Mercy  Hay  ward. 

8.  Mary,  b.  June  22,  1699  ;  m.  Joseph  Dorr. 

9.  Rachel,  b.  Sept.  6,  1701 ;  m.  Sam'l  Wood. 

10.  David,  b.  Oct.  25,  1703;  d.  Jan.  18,  1704. 

11.  Grindal,  b.  Sept.  6,  1707  ;  m.  Dorothy  Chauncey. 

12.  Elizabeth,   b.  April  21,  1710;  m.  ^  Abner  Hazeltine ;  m. 

~  James  Wood. 

EDMUND  RAWSON,  3d  son  of  Grindal;  married  Elizabeth 

Howard. 

children. 

1.  Edmund,  b.  Aug.  15,  1718  ;  ni.  Martha  Allen. 

2.  Abner,  b.  April  24,  1721 ;  m.  Mary  Allen. 

3.  Nathan,    b.   Aug.    4,   1724;  m.  ^  Mary  White;  m.  -Mary 

Chase. 

ABNER  RAWSON,   son   of  Edmund,    born   1721;  married 
Mary  Allen. 

CHILDREN. 

1.  Silas,  b.  July  26,  1746;  m.  Sarah  Draper. 

2.  Timothy,  b.  Oct.  20,  1747 ;  m.  Chloe  Fish. 

3.  Rhoda,  b.  Oct.  4,  1749 ;  m.  Aaron  Taft. 

14 


210  HISTORY    OF    DOUGLAS. 

SILAS  RAWSOX,  son  of  Abner,  born  174G;  married  Sarah 
Drapkr,  of  Uxl)ridge. 

CHILDREN. 

1.  Charles,  b.  Oct.  20,  17fi8. 

2.  Mercy,  b.  Nov.  20,  1770  ;  m  Josiali  G.  White. 

3.  Milloy.  b.  Dec.  23.  1772  ;  d.  March  8,  iBoS. 

4.  Simon,  b.  April  9,  177;j. 

SIMON    RAW^OX  ;     iiuirried    '  Lavixa     Brown  ;    married 

^Nabby  Putnam. 

children. 

1.  Silas.  ]).  March  24,  1802. 

2.  Lavina,  b.  June  24,  1S07;  d.  Oct.  10.  1828. 

3.  Charles  B  ,  b.  Dec.  18,  1810. 

4.  Simon,  b.  April  3.  1812. 

Simon  Kawson  was  Captain  of  the  militia,  and  enlisted  in  the 
war  of  1812.     He  died  June  IG,  1856. 

SIMON  EAWSON,  son  of  Simon;  married  Roxellana Ai.d- 
RiCH  May  15,  1836  ;  died  Sept.  6,  1877. 

CHILDREN. 

1.  John  A.,  1).  July  1,  1837  ;  d.  Feb.  5,  1840. 

2.  Simon  P.,  b.  Aug.  27,  1838. 

3.  Charles  F.,  b.  Nov.  2,  1839. 

4.  John  M..  b.  May  15,  1842. 

5.  Laura  L..  b.  July  5,  1847. 

6.  Levi  B.,  b.  Feb.  6,  1860. 

SIMON  P.  RAWSON,  born  1838  ;  married  ^  Sarah  A.  Sea- 
graves  Jan.  1,  1860  ;  married  ^  Lydia  E.  Whitney. 

CHILDREN. 

1.  Estella  M.,  b.  Feb.  20,  1862. 

2.  Emma  J.,  b.  Aug.  25,  1864. 

3.  Oscar  B.,  b.  Sept.  14,  1870. 

4.  Minnie. 

CHARLES  F.  RAWSON,  son  of  Simon,  born  1839  ;  mar- 
ried Joanna  White,  of  Douglas,  March  30,  1865. 


BIOGRAPHICAL    AND   GENEALOGICAL — CONTINUED.  211 

CHILDREN. 

1.  Frank  Ellsworth,  b.  June  26,  1869  ;  d.  Aug  26,  1869. 

2.  Arthur  Edward,  b.  Feb.  4,  1874. 

JOHN  M.  RAWSON,   born  1842  ;  married  Zilpha  M.  Pot- 
ter, of  Douglas,  March  6,  1838. 


WALLI8     FA3IILY. 

CAPT.  BENJAMIN  WALLIS.  The  first  by  the  name  of  Wal- 
lis  who  settled  in  this  town  came  from  Seekonk.  He  was  of  Scotch 
descent,  and  located  himself  in  the  westerly  part  of  the  town,  on 
the  place  now  owned  by  P^lbridge  G-.  Wallis,  about  the  year  1750, 
he  being  then  some  twenty-seven  j-ears  of  age.  His  log  cabin 
stood  on  the  site  of  the  present  house.  Soon  after  this  he  married 
a  lady  from  Sutton,  named  Lydia  Dudley. 

Captain  Wallis  was  a  man  well  known  in  this  section.  He  was 
prominent  in  town  affairs,  having  been  for  eighteen  years  on  the 
board  of  Selectmen.  He  was  a  member  of  the  First  Congregational 
Church  at  the  Center,  where  he  was  a  constant  attendant,  giving 
freely  for  the  support  of  public  worship.  He  died  at  the  age  of  91, 
his  wife  L^'diadjing  Oct.  23,  1820,  aged  92.  The}'  left  a  family  of 
five  sons  and  three  daughters.  His  sons  were  all  of  large  stature, 
powerfully  built,  ver}'  strong  and  active,  and  were  also  naturally 
ingenious,  depending  largely  upon  their  ingenuity'  and  skill  to  pro- 
vide articles  for  home  use.  They  were  also  very  successful  in  mak- 
ing wooden  plows,  tubs,  pails,  barrels,  etc.  Two  of  these  sons, 
Samuel  and  .James,  built  themselves  a  hand-sled,  and  in  company 
with  three  others  figured  prominently  in  the  famous  trip  of  the 
"  Douglas  Fleet"  to  Boston,  the  particulars  of  which  are  narrated 
elsewhere. 

BENJAMIN  WALLIS,  Esq.,  the  older  son,  lived  to  be  70  years 
of  age,  his  death  being  occasioned  b}^  exposure  to  the  cold.  He 
drove  a  j'oke  of  fat  oxen  to  Providence,  R.  I.,  in  the  month  of  Jan- 
uary', and  became  so  chilled  b}'  the  intense  cold  that  he  died  there. 

JAMES  WALLIS,  the  second  son,  was  born  in  Douglas,  but 
afterwards  moved  to  Webster,  where  he  owned  and  run  a  grist-mill 


212  HISTORY   OF   DOUGLAS. 

and  blacksmith  shop.     From  this  place  he  went  to  SouthbridgCr 
and  thence  to  West  Brookfield,  where  he  died,  aged  85. 

DAVID  WALLIS,  the  third  son,  born  in  Douglas,  was  a  farmer, 
always  living  in  Douglas,     lie  died  at  the  age  of . 

SAMUEL  WALLIS,  the  fourth  son,  retained  his  faculties 
unimpaired  to  an  advanced  age.  At  85  he  was  summoned  to 
Worcester  as  a  witness  in  the  case  involving  the  flowage  of  the 
Moses  Knapp  privilege,  walking  the  entire  distance  from  his  home 
to  Worcester.  He  died  at  DO,  and  at  the  time  of  his  death,  which 
was  occasioned  by  a  fall,  he  was  apparently  as  well  able  to  endure 
fatigue  as  for  vears  before. 


'»^ 


AARON  WALLIS,  tlie  fifth  sou,  was  a  man  wliotook  an  active 
part  in  town  affairs,  and  lived  to  the  age  of  77  years.  He  was^ 
Selectman  and  Assessor  for  many  years. 

AARON  A.  WALLIS,  son  of  Aaron,  succeeded  his  father  iu 
town  business.  He  was  chairman  of  the  Board  of  Selectmen  for 
a  long  tune,  and  held  manj'  other  town  offices. 


Dl  DL,KY     FAMILY. 

FRANCIS  DUDLEY  settled  at  Concord,  Mass.,  about  1663. 
He  married  Miss  Sarah  Wheeler,  of  Concord,  Oct.  26,  1665, 
who  died  Dec.  12,  1713. 

They  had  a  son  "  SAMUEL,  who  was  born  in  1666,  and  mar- 
ried  for  his  first  wife  Abigail  King  Nov.  1,  1704,  and  for  his 

second  wife  Lydia .     Samuel  Dudley  died  in  1775,  at  Sutton^ 

and  his  first  wife  died  in  1720. 

2  WILLIAM  DUDLEY,  son  of  Samuel,  was  born  May  28, 
1726,  and  man-ied  Ann  Shepherd,  of  Stoughton.  He  was  Town 
Clerk  of  Douglas  soon  after  its  incorporation. 

*  PAUL  DUDLEY  was  the  son  of  William  Dudley,  and  died 
Feb.  9,  1857,  aged  80  years.     He  married  Dorothy  Reed. 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND   GENEALOGICAL — CONTINUED.  213 

**  JOHN  Dl'DLEY  was  the  son  of  Paul  Dudley,  and  was  born 
Sept.  10,  1790,  and  married  Submit  Hill,  who  was  born  March 
3, 1790. 

'JAMES  HILL  DUDLP:Y  was  the  son  of  John  Dudley,  and 
was  born  Dec.  10,  1814,  and  married  Eliza  Averv  Pkentiss,  of 
Hampton,  Conn.,  who  was  born  Sept.  3.  LSI!). 

^ARTHUR  JAMES  DUDLEY  was  horn  May  7,  1839,  and 
married  CiiRiSTiAXA  Sarah  Hill  Nov.  12,  1861,  who  was  born 
June  28,  1838.  They  have  the  following  children  :  Walter  John 
HillDudle}',  born  Aug.  23,  1862  ;  Guilford  Chauncey  Dudley,  born 
March  5,  1864;  Robert  Arthur  Dudley,  born  Feb.  23,  1867; 
Loiezer  Eliza  Dudley,  born  March  7,  1870  ;  Ralph  Edward  Dud- 
ley, born  April  20,  1876. 

DAVID  DUDLEY,  son  of  Paul  Dudley,  was  born  about 
1788,  and  married  Hannah  Walker,  of  Sutton,  Dec.  16, 1810,  by 
the  Rev.  Edmund  INIills.  He  died  in  1829,  aged  43,  and  Hannah 
his  wife  died  June  5,  1872,  aged  84.  Their  children  were: 
George  R.  ;  Louie  M..  born  1814  ;  Eliza  J.,  born  Feb.,  1817,  and 
died  June,  1817;  David  W.,  born  1818,  died  October,  1818; 
David  W.,  born  March,  1800,  died  in  1855;  Eliza  J.,  born  1823. 

GEORGE  R.  is  married,  and  resides  in  Covington,  Ky.,  and 
his  children  are  Eugene,  Emma,  Kate,  Anna,  and  Willie. 

LOUIE  M.  married  Edmund  Carpenter  in  1833,  and  died  in 
1835. 

ELIZA  J.  married  Dutee  Smith,  of  Burrillville,  R.  I.,  in  1848, 
and  died  Dec.  7,  1867.  Her  children  are  Luella  M.,  born  1850  ; 
George  H.,  born  1854;  and  Clara  H.,  born  1858.  Luella  M. 
married  Moses  II.  Balcome,  of  Douglas,  April  15,  1876. 

WILLTA:\I  DUDLEY,  son  of  Paul,  was  born  Oct.  29,  1793, 
married  Harriot  Cragin,  and  had  the  following  children  :  William 
Dudley,  born  Nov.  11,  1816,  who  married  Elizabeth  Morse,  of 
Providence,  R.  L,  and  had  as  issue  Charles  L.  Dudley;  Charles 
Dudley,  of  Providence,  who  married  Clara  D.  Wilmouth,  and  had 
as  issue  WilUam  A,  Dudley,  Annie  W.  Dudle}-,  and  Harriet  C. 


214  HISTORY    OF   DOUGLAS. 

Dudley  ;  Harriet  C.  Dudley,  who  married  George  R.  Barker,  Oct. 
21,  1847,  their  issue  being  Harriet  C.  D.  Barker,  born  March 
23,  1851,  died  Sept.  15,  187G  ;  J.  Fremont  Barker,  born  vVpril^ 
1855  ;  Charles  D.  Barker,  born  1857  ;  George  R.  Barker,  died 
1865,  aged  40  years. 

William  Dudley,  son  of  Paul,  married  for  his  second  wife  Mary 
Cobb,  of  Taunton,  and  had  three  children,  all  dying  young.  For 
his  third  wife  he  married  Sophronia  Lincoln,  of  Worcester,  and 
had  as  issue  Sophronia  (not  living)  ;  George,  born  1834  ;  Edwin. 
R.,  born  18.38  ;  Mary  W.,  born  1844. 

WILLARD  DUDLEY,  son  of  Paul,  was  born  about  the  year 
1797,  manied  Eunice  Balcome,  and  had  the  following  issue  :  Paul, 
Edwin,  Doroth}',  Frank,  and  Betse3\ 

DOROTHY  DUDLEY,  daughter  of  Paul  Dudley,  born  March 
29,  1801,  married  Benjamin  Hill,  and  had  as  issue  Benjamin, 
Emeline,  Eliza  Ann,  and  Edwin. 

HARRIET  DUDLEY,  daughter  of  Paul  and  Dorothy,  his- 
wife,  was  born  Dec.  15,  1704,  married  Josiah  Adams  May  14, 
1823,  and  had  as  issue  Josiah  Augustus,  born  March  12,  1824, 
married  Fidelia,  who  had  a  daughter,  Adelaide  Francis,  born  Nov. 
2, 1845.  Josiah  Augustus  died  Jan.  19,  1859,  and  Fidelia,  his- 
wife.  May  31,  18G1. 


A3IOS  GOl'LD. 

Most  of  the  boys  and  young  men  of  the  village  are  familiar 
with  a  little  wood-colored  house,  one  stoiy  in  height,  that  stands  (or 
used  to  stand)  by  the  roadside  in  Centerville,  for  some  time  the  home 
of  Amos  Gould,  or  ' '  Uncle  Amos,"  as  he  was  commonly  called.  He 
was  a  stone-layer  b}-  trade,  though  he  worked  more  or  less  at  all  kinds 
of  heavy  out-(l(jor  labor,  and  was  noted  for  great  muscular  strength. 
During  the  hottest  days  of  sunnner,  as  well  as  at  other  seasons  of 
the  year,  he  worked  bare-headed  in  the  sun,  which  gave  rise  to 
another  sobriquet  by  which  he  was  known,  "  knot-head."  When 
employment  failed,  or  the  long  winter  evenings  came  on,  he  occu- 
pied himself  in  making  whip-stalks  and  axe-handles,  which  were 


BIOGRAPHICAL    AND   GENEALOGICAL — CONTINUED.  215 

much  in  demand  among  the  farmers ;  and  when  tired  of  this  he 
whiled  away  his  leisure  hours  in  playing  a  fiddle,  of  which  he  was 
passionately  fond,  and  on  many  an  evening  would  the  bo3's,  and 
even  the  girls,  crowd  the  cabin  of  the  old  man  to  hear  him  play 
and  sing  by  the  hour. 

Stories  innumerable  are  related  of  various  exliibitions  of  his 
strength  before  old  age  came  on,  such  as  wrestling,  lifting,  throw- 
ing the  bar,  pulling  stakes,  etc.,  —  some  real  and  some  fictitious. 
He  was  generalh'  on  good  terms  with  mendicants,  gypsies,  and 
Indians,  mixing  freely  with  them  as  they  came  and  went.  It  is 
said  that  once,  while  "  Uncle  Amos  "  w^as  laying  a  wall  along  tjhe 
edge  of  a  pond,  near  which  some  Indians  were  encamping,  one  of 
them,  a  noted  bully,  came  behind  him  and  pushed  him  over  with 
his  foot,  saying,  "me  big  Indian."  Without  a  word  "Uncle 
Amos"  rose,  caught  the  astonished  red  man  amidships,  lifted  him 
clear  of  the  ground  and  tossed  him  over  a  rail  fence  into  the  water, 
and  as  the  brave  struck  out  for  shore  he  retorted,  "  me  big  Indian 
too !" 

His  onty  companion  in  the  solitary  life  w^hich  he  preferred,  and 
to  which  he  obstinately'  clung,  was  a  little  dog,  curiously  marked, 
and  remarkable  for  brute  intelligence.  The  two  were  inseparable. 
At  home,  at  work,  in  all  the  old  man's  wanderings  and  adventures, 
this  faithful  attendant  answered  his  master's  call ;  and  when,  one 
cold,  bleak  morning,  the  insensible  form  of  "Uncle  Amos"  was 
found  by  the  roadside,  the  faithful  dog  lay  on  his  bosom,  where  he 
had  watched  in  vain  over  the  life  of  his  master. 

Although  relatives  offered  him  a  comfortable  home  in  his  dechn- 
ing  years,  he  clung  as  if  by  instinct  to  the  mingled  freedom  and 
privations  of  a  solitary  life. 


A3IOS    HUMES.     . 

Amos  Humes,  the  father  of  'Squire  Humes,  was  a  man  of  in- 
dependent character,  and  consequently  of  consideralile  influence 
in  town  affairs.  He  held  various  town  offices,  and  was  elected 
Representative  to  the  General  Court  several  times.  In  those  daj'S 
it  was  the  custom  for  the  fortunate  candidate  to  ' '  treat "  his  con- 


216  HISTORY   OF    DOUGLAS. 

stituents,  a  custom  which,  unfortunatel}^  is  not  yet  buried  in 
the  obUvion  it  deserves.  At  the  time  he  was  chosen  he  proposed 
in  open  town-meeting  that,  instead  of  treating  his  neighbors,  as 
the  fashion  was,  he  should  contribute  ten  dollars  for  the  benefit  of 
the  public  schools.  A  proposition  of  that  kind  from  Amos  Humes 
was  authoritative,  the  most  thirsty  among  those  present  not  daring 
to  dissent,  and  the  approval  of  his  proposition  was  immediate  and 
unanimous. 


RUSSELL  TITUS. 

Few  men  in  Douglas  were  better  known  while  living  than 
was  Russell  Titus.  Precentric  in  manners  and  dress,  self-assured 
without  being  impudent,  he  was  alwa^'s  conspicuous  in  any  local 
gathering  of  a  popular  character.  He  was  an  ardent  advocate  of 
temperance,  and  took  prominent  parts  in  the  debates  at  local 
meetings,  conventions,  etc.,  relating  to  the  question.  Keenly 
alive  to  any  real  or  fancied  injury  or  insult,  he  was  as  warmly  ap- 
preciative of  any  kindness  done  him  ;  and  it  was  said  that  at 
some  time,  and  in  some  way  or  another,  he  always  managed  to 
return  a  favor.  Many  can  testify  to  his  spontaneous  goodness  of 
heart.     He  died  March  11,  1874,  in  the  60th  year  of  his  age. 


DUDLEY  BALC03IE. 

There  is  scarcely  a  New  P^ngland  town  that  has  not  some 
genial,  good-hearted  character,  a  genuine  Yankee,  who  is  "hail 
fellow  well  met "  with  everybod3^  Such  a  man  was  Dudley  Bal- 
come,  for  sixty  vears  a  useful  resident  of  Douglas.  Prominent 
in  town  affairs,  he  occupied  various  offices  of  confidence  and  re- 
sponsibility, the  duties  of  which  he  discharged  with  strict  integ- 
rity, especially  that  of  town  collector,  for  which  position  he  was 
always  a  favorite  candidate.  Quite  an  orator,  in  his  way,  he  was 
often  heard  in  the  lyceum,  and  at  town-meetings  generally,  on 
questions  where  the  principles  of  justice  and  humanity  were  in- 
volved.     Few  who  were  present  will  ever  forget  the  eloquent  and 


RESIDENCE   OF    MOSES    H.    HALCOME,    DOUGLAS    CENTER. 


RESIDENCE   OF   D.    M.   LEE,    EAST  DOUGLAS. 


218  HISTORY   OF   DOUGLAS. 

even  touching  argnmont  he  once  made  at  a  town-meeting  in  favor 
of  measures  proposed  for  protecting  hii-ds,  "  our  humble  benefac- 
tors, that  not  only  save  the  crops  unharmed,  but  cheer  us  with 
their  song." 

Ilis  affection  for  birds,  however,  did  not  extend  to  foxes. 
Armed  with  a  long-barreled  smooth-bore,  "  good  for  any  red-coat 
at  fourteen  rods,"  as  he  used  to  sa}-,  and  accompanied  by  ' '  Old 
Pomp,"  the  well-known  hound,  he  won  quite  a  reputation  as  a  fox 
himter,  and  loved  the  sport  to  the  last.  He  was  sympathetic  and 
warm-hearted,  generous  to  a  fault,  affable  and  courteous  in  his 
demeanor,  and  the  town  lost  a  valued  servant  by  his  death,  which 
took  place  in  the  latter  part  of  December,  1874. 


MR.  EZRA  .JONKS 

died  Dec.  5,  1868,  aged  41  years.  Mr.  Jones  came  to  Douglas 
in  the  3'ear  184(1.  lie  was  variously  employed  until  1850,  when 
he  engaged  in  the  grocery  and  dry  goods  business  at  Manchaug. 
Several  j-ears  subsequent  to  this  he  carried  on  business  at  the  store 
afterwards  occupied  by  J.  F.  Putnam,  in  the  Arcade  building,  and 
was  subsequently  associated  with  his  brother,  A.  F.  Jones,  in  Chase's 
Block,  at  the  same  time  carrying  on  the  butchering  business.  He 
was  an  invalid  for  three  years,  and  died  of  consumption.  "He 
was  an  industrious,  hard-working  man,  a  kind  and  indulgent  hus- 
band and  father,  and  an  upright,  public-spirited,  useful  citizen.'* 


DEA.  WARREN  HUNT.   * 

Few  names  are  more  familiar,  not  merely  to  citizens  of  Douglas, 
but  among  the  older  business  men  of  other  localities,  than  that  of 
Dea.  Warren  Hunt,  a  native  and  life-long  resident  of  the  town. 
His  connection  with  the  Axe  Company,  its  growth  and  prosperity 
inider  his  management,  the  comprehensive  character  of  his  plans, 
the  energy  he  displayed  in  perfecting  them,  his  shrewdness  and 
foresight,  joined  with  a  certain  force  of  will  that  made  him  when  in 


BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL — CONTINUED.  219 

his  prime  a  leader  among  leaders,  all  combined  to  secure  to  him 
much  more  than  a  strictly  local  reputatfon.  Some  men  are  endowed 
by  nature  with  intellectual  qualities  that  establish  their  supremacy 
at  once  and  without  question  in  any  enterprise  with  which  they 
are  connected.  Their  personal  impress  is  left  on  ever}thing  ;  they 
seem  ' '  born  to  rule." 

Such  a  man  was  Deacon  Hunt.  To  good  judgment,  foresight,  and 
skill  in  effecting  combinations  —  three  qualities  essential  to  a  busi- 
ness man  —  he  united  tliat  executive  capacity  without  which  these 
amount  to  little  more  than  foundations  for  castles  in  the  air.  With 
him,  a  scheme  once  devised,  the  results  were  fairly  anticipated,  and 
no  delay  gave  time  for  the  seeds  of  failure  to  take  root.  His  men, 
the  machinery,  the  details  of  the  work,  went  forward  seemingl}'  in 
obedience  to  his  single  will,  just  as  the  wide  belt  of  the  water- 
wheel  is  the  single  source  of  motion  to  the  intricate  shafting  of  the 
mill.  Quick  to  discern,  prompt  to  decide,  ready  to  act,  he  never 
was  guilty  of  indecision  himself,  and  would  hardl}'  tolerate  it  in 
others.  The  breadth  of  mind  that  caused  him  to  conceive  any  new 
business  enterprise  in  the  gross  was  accompanied  with  a  fortunate 
readiness  in  understanding  and  attending  to  the  minutest  details. 
He  would  pick  out  a  defective  axe  from  a  heap  of  them  with  what 
seemed  to  his  men  supernatural  discernment.  Of  course  in  such  a 
long  business  career  as  he  led,  seeing  so  much  of  men,  he  came  to 
know  them  and  was  quick  to  read  them,  and  perhaps  rather  unspar- 
ing in  his  exposure  of  their  weaknesses  at  times  ;  3'et  no  one  knew 
better  than  he  how  to  develop  latent  talent,  as  well  as  to  place 
men  where  the}^  could  be  emplo3'ed  to  the  best  advantage. 

Nor  were  his  ideas  and  plans,  as  is  too  often  the  case  with  men 
submerged  in  business,  narrowed  and  concentrated  upon  the  mere 
affairs  under  his  personal  charge.  In  his  day  and  generation  he 
was  the  leading  citizen  of  Douglas,  active  in  town  affairs,  inter- 
ested in  public  improvements,  and  prominent  in  the  Church.  Gen- 
erous and  pubhc  spirited  b}'  nature,  he  was  accustomed  to  look  for- 
ward to  the  ultimate  results,  keeping  constantl}^  in  view  the  growth 
and  prosperity' of  the  place,  and  endeavoring  to  make  them  keep 
pace  with  its  business  development,  that  the  one  might  be  the  pat- 
ron rather  than  the  oppressor  of  the  other,  l^robably  he  did  more 
than  an}'  one  to  build  up  the  village. 

As  might  be  expected  from  one  of  such  a  positive  character,  his 


^Z^-y-  c^c^  d/%c-c^f^^y^ 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND   GENEALOGICAL  —  CONTINUED.  221 

views  upon  all  general  topics  were  most  decided  in  their  character, 
and  alwa3's  forcibly  avowed ;  but  with  all  his  native  force  of  mind 
and  strength  of  will,  however,  there  was  combined  a  dignity  and 
suavity  of  manner  that  was  winning  in  the  extreme  when  he  chose 
to  exercise  them.  It  was  this  that  rendered  him  an  excellent  pre- 
siding oflicer.  More  than  once  has  it  been  said  by  those  compe- 
tent to  judge,  and  knowing  him  long  and  intimatel}',  "we  never 
had  a  man  among  us  who  could  conduct  a  pubhc  assembly  of  any 
kind  with  equal  tact,  dignity  and  grace." 

We  might  record  innumerable  instances  and  incidents  that  have 
been  preserved,  illustrative  of  his  prominent  traits.  To  enumerate 
them  all  would  fill  a  volume,  and  to  attempt  an  adequate  and  fit- 
ting selection  from  among  the  number  would  be  difficult,  if  not 
impossible.  To  those  who  knew  him  this  brief  and  necessarily 
imperfect  notice  will  revive  recollections  that  are  valuable  and  im- 
perishable ;  and  to  those  who  did  not  know  him  it  will  at  least 
transmit  his  memory,  and  serve  to  postpone  the  obliviousness  that 
slowly  covers  up  the  pathwa}-  of  the  dead. 


DR.  WILLIAM  JENNISON. 

The  name  of  Dr  William  Jennison,  a  physician  who  practiced 
in  Mendon,  and  also  in  Douglas  in  the  earl}'  histor}'  of  our  towm, 
will  be  familiar  to  many  who  have  examined  its  annals.  He  was 
born  in  1732,  married  Mary  Staples,  of  Mendon,  and  eventually  re- 
moved to  Brookfield,  where  he  died  on  the  8th  of  Ma}',  1798.  He 
was  the  father  of  Samuel  Jennison,  a  law3'er  and  graduate  of 
Harvard  Universit}',  who  practiced  law  in  Oxford. 


JONATHAN   SPRAGUE. 

This  good  man  was  born  in  Douglas  Oct.  6,  1801.  He  was 
brought  up  under  the  quiet  and  subduing  influences  of  the  Quak- 
ers, and  his  whole  life  was  one  of  the  most  unobtrusive  of  those  so 
generally  characteristic  of  this  estimable  class  of  people.  His  nat- 
ural repulsion  to  an3'thing  Hke  conspicuousness  led  him  to  shrink 
from  public  observation  to  that  degree  that  probably  scarce  any  of 


222  HISTORY   OF   DOUGLAS. 

his  more  immediate  neiglibors  could  be  said  to  have  really  known 
him,  especially  in  those  details  of  mind  and  habit  that  constitute 
the  man  himself.  These  were  open  to  the  observation  of  his  fam- 
ily and  most  intimate  friends  only,  and  to  them  thej^  were  known 
and  road  of  all. 

Nevertheless,  on  all  matters  where  a  thorough  conscientious- 
ness in  the  discharge  of  his  obligations  as  a  citizen  were  involved, 
as  well  as  in  the  retiracy  of  his  family,  he  was  one  of  the  most  un- 
compromising and  outspoken,  and  could  never  be  betrayed  into 
the  sacrilice  of  his  honest  convictions  on  any  consideration  of  pub- 
lic expediency  or  personal  favor.  This  trait,  with  his  well-known 
generous  and  sympathizing  nature,  led  him  instinctively  to  es- 
pouse the  cause  of  the  oppressed,  and  from  the  ver}-  beginning  of 
the  great  anti-slavery  struggle  he.  was  one  of  its  firmest  adherents 
and  most  steadfast  defenders,  fixen  though  it  cost  him  no  small 
amount  of  ridicule  to  stand  ,ilp  well  nigh  solitary  and  alone  for  his 
principles,  as  he  did  in  identifying  himself  early  with  the  old  "  Lib- 


^^-7^, 


(^zy^^ZcOi^ 


//^i^-cCC-M^^Ca^^ 


erty  party."  His  indignation  at  the  infamous  "  Fugitive  Slave 
Law,"  as  it  was  so  justly  called,  was  not  a  sentiment  merely,  but 
an  incarnation  ;  and  the  panting  refugee  from  bondage  was  never 
turned  from  his  door,  but  on  repeated  occasions,  says  one  who  knew 
him  most  intimatel}',  these  poor  men  and  women  were  heartily 
welcomed  under  his  roof  in  East  Douglas,  and  aided  on  their  flight 
for  freedom  by  all  the  means  at  his  command. 

He  was  a  man  of  great  A'igor  and  keenness  of  mind,  penetra- 
ting intuitively  to  the  very  essentials  of  all  the  leading  questions  of 
the  day,  never  contenting  himself  with  any  merely  superficial  ideas 
on  these  subjects.  Few  men  probabh'  were  capable  of  framing  a 
more  incisive  question  on  any  point  which  they  did  not  fully  grasp 
than  he.  Evading  the  vital  issue  on  such  matters  was  useless 
when  he  set  himself  to  "  know  and  understand."  He  was  remark- 
ably well  read  on  all  matters  affecting  the  public  interest,  and  es- 
peciall}-  in  the  realm  of  religion.  He  would  state  with  rare  precis- 
ion the  points  of  difference  characterizing  the  different  evangelical 


BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL  —  CONTINUED.  228 

denominations,  readil}^  grasping  the  vulnerable  feature  in  any  con- 
troversy, with  a  happy  faculty  of  holding  it  up  to  the  light  both  of 
reason  and  revelation. 

His  consistent  and  reproachless  life  closed  Nov.  2,  187(j,  when 
he  was  suddenly  stricken  down  b}'  apoplexy.  Mr.  Sprague  was 
married  Oct.  SG,  lS-26,  to  Marv  Ann  Whipple,  daughter  of  Wel- 
<!ome  Whipple.  Esq.  The  fiftieth  anniversary  of  their  wedding 
was  celebrated  at  the  church  in  South  Sutton,  at  which  four  gen- 
erations of  theii'  family  were  present  to  do  them  honor,  together 
with  a  large  number  of  invited  guests.  The  address  from  their 
son.  Col.  ITomer  B.  Sprague,  contained  reminiscences  of  the  past 
followed  by  an  original  poem,  which  served  to  make  the  occasion 
one  of  rare  and  deep  interest . 


HOMER  B.   SPRAGUE 

spent  a  portion  of  his  school  da^-s  in  East  Douglas.  He  fitted  for 
college  at  Leicester  Academy,  graduated  at  Yale  in  the  class  of 
1852,  receiving  the  DeForest  prize,  a  gold  medal  of  the  value 
of  one  hundred  dollars,  given  for  the  best  written  and  spoken 
composition.  After  stud3'ing  law  at  New  Haven,  he  entered  upon 
the  practice  of  his  profession  in  Worcester,  but  soon  after  accept- 
ed the  position  of  principal  of  the  Worcester  High  School.  From 
Worcester  he  went  to  New  Haven  and  again  began  the  practice  of 
law,  continuing  there  until  the  breaking  out  of  the  rebellion. 

During  the  war  he  did  much  to  inspire  patriotism  in  others,  and 
himself  entered  earlv  into  the  service  of  his  countr}',  enlisting  a 
compam'  of  soldiers  in  New  Haven  and  of  which  he  had  been  elected 
Captain.  He  was  afterwards  promoted  Major,  and  Nov.  o,  1863, 
Lieutenant-Colonel.  His  regiment  was  in  scA'eral  engagements, 
both  in  the  department  of  the  gulf  and  with  the  army  of  the  Shenan- 
doah under  General  Sheridan. 

In  the  battle  of  Winchester  Colonel  Sprague  commanded  the 
regiment  (Thirteenth  Connecticut).  In  the  heat  of  the  contest  his 
horse  was  shot  under  him,  and  he  led  his  regiment  on  foot.  Soon 
after  the  Colonel  and  a  few  brave  men  who  stood  b^'  him  were 
overpowered  and  captured.  After  an  experience  in  Libb}-  Prison, 
and  afterwards  in  Andersonville,  he  was  released  and  again  re- 


224  HISTORY    OF   DOUGLAS. 

Slimed  command  of  his  regiment.  Since  the  war  he  has  beerii 
engaged  in  teaching.  In  1867  he  was  chosen  principal  of  the 
State  Normal  School  at  New  Britain,  Conn.,  afterwards  professor 
in  Cornell  University,  Ithaca,  N.  Y.  From  there  he  went  to 
Brookl3'n,  and  became  principal  of  the  Adelphi  Academy.  Re- 
signing this  position  he  entered  the  lecture-field  and  soon  became 
one  of  the  most  popular  lecturers  of  the  da3\  His  lecture  enti- 
tled "  The  Bright  Side  of  Life  in  Confederate  Prisons,"  is  replete 
with  incidents  and  anecdotes  showing  the  sunnier  side  of  prison 
life,  when  told  b}'  the  Colonel  in  his  inimitable  style.  His  other 
lectures,  among  which  ma}'  be  mentioned  "  Milton  as  an  Educa- 
tor," ''liiches,  and  what  Constitutes  Them,"  '^Shakespeare's 
Youth,"  "  Shakespeare's  Manhood,"  and  "  Oliver  Goldsmith,"  are 
universally^  popular,  and  make  the  Colonel  an  established  favorite 
wherever  he  lectures.  He  is  now  i)rincipal  of  the  Girls'  High 
School,  Boston. 


JAMES   E.   SIMMONS 

was  born  Feb.  20,  1825,  at  Oakham,  Mass.  He  came  to  Doug- 
las at  an  early  age,  and  was  for  a  long  time  engaged  in  busi- 
ness in  Chase's  Block.  During  a  residence  in  Douglas  of  more 
than  twenty-six  years  he  was  closely  identified  with  the  people  ; 
in  all  his  business  transactions  he  was  kind,  courteous  and  gen- 
tlemanly ;  and  in  the  social  circle  the  ennobling  traits  of  his  char- 
acteir  were  conspicuous.  In  1863  he  removed  to  Slatersville, 
where  he  engaged  in  mercantile  business,  and  came  to  be  as  uni- 
versally respected  there  as  in  Douglas.  He  died  April  11,  1868, 
and  his  remains  were  brought  to  Douglas  for  burial. 


MK.  FENNER  BATCHELLER 


was  born  at  Thompson,  Conn.,  in  1807,  and  was  next  to  the 
youngest  of  a  family  of  eleven  children.  He  removed  his  residence 
to  Douglas  in  1826,  and  for  a  number  of  years  was  employed  in 
the  cotton  mill  of  Howe  &  Co.,  who  were  then  operating  what  is 


BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL  —  CONTINUED.         225 

now  known  as  the  Lovett  mill.  After  j^ears  of  faithful  service  he 
was  promoted  to  the  position  of  overseer,  and  for  some  time  was 
Agent  of  the  mills. 

He  organized,  in  1827,  the  first  Sunday-school  ever  gathered  in 
this  village,  at  which  those  who  were  confined  to  labor  during 
the  week  daj's  were  instructed  in  reading,  writing  and  ciphering. 
In  1841  he  represented  the  town  in  the  General  Court,  for  manj' 
years  he  was  postmaster,  and  during  nearly  every  year  of  his  res- 
idence in  Douglas  he  held  some  town  office.  He  always  had  a  heart 
and  a  hand  for  every  good  cause,  and  was  ever  read}'  to  aid  in  any 


project  tending  to  elevate  the  morality  and  prosperity  of  the  town. 
His  kindness  of  heart,  sterling  honesty,  and  perseverance  in  what- 
ever he  undertook,  made  him  a  man  whom  his  townsmen  loved  to 
honor. 

He  was  for  twenty-three  years  a  director  of  the  Blackstone  Na- 
tional Bank,  and  in  this  capacity  his  prompt  and  sound  judgment 
made  him  a  safe  adviser  for  all  who  sought  his  counsel.  His  con- 
summate honesty  and  singleness  of  purpose  made  him  faithful  to 
all  the  trusts  committed  to  him. 


COL.   HORACE    EMERSON 

was  born  in  Uxbridge  in  1801,  and  removed  to  Douglas  when  quite 
young,  since  then  making  this  place  his  home.  He  married  Azuba 
Hill,  oldest  daughter  of  Capt.  Caleb  Hill.  Colonel  Emerson  was 
passionately  fond  of  military  pursuits,  and  his  commanding  pres- 
ence on  the  muster  field  made  him  the  subject  of  admiration.  He 
rose  from  the  rank  of  Ensign  to  the  Colonelcy  of  the  Second  Regi- 
ment of  Infantr}-,  holding  successivel}'  the  commissions  of  Captain, 
Major,  Lieut<^nant-Colonel  and  Colonel. 

Before  taking  the  command  of  his  company  it  was  in  a  badly- 
demoralized  condition.  A  summons  to  appear  on  parade  was  un- 
heeded by  half  the  members,  and  those  who  did  appear  made  it  a 

15 


226  HISTORY   OF    DOUGLAS. 

complete  burlesque  b^-  costuming  themselves  in  the  most  ridicu- 
lous manner.  Captain  Emerson  immediateh'  set  himself  about 
securing  a  better  state  of  discipline  in  the  ranks,  in  which  he  was 
seconded  by  his  Orderly  Clerk,  Fenner  Batcheller.  Es(i.  On  one 
occasion,  when  twenty-eight  absentees  were  reported,  he  deter- 
mined to  select  Alvah  Crossman  upon  whom  to  apply  the  test  of 
authority,  he  being  a  man  of  means,  and  able  to  bear  an}' fine  that 
might  l)e  imposed.  The  matter  was  carried  into  court,  and  Mr. 
Crossman  employed  ex-Governor  Davis,  of  Worcester,  as  counsel, 
who  came  to  Douglas  to  examine  the  records  of  the  company  as 
preliminary  to  making  an  attempt  to  quash  proceedings.  After  a 
lengthy  search  for  errors  he  remarked  that  it  was  the  only  cor- 
rectl}^  kept  military  record  he  had  ever  seen,  and  of  course  Colonel 
Emerson  was  sustained.  The  result  was  that  after  this  the  best 
of  discipline  prevailed  in  the  company.  This  will  serve  to  illus- 
trate the  methodicalness  and  promptitude  which  characterized  his 
life.     Anything  entrusted  to  him  was  sure  of  faithful  attention. 

Colonel  Emerson  was  a  member  of  the  Uxln'idge  Lodge  F.  & 
A.  M.,  and  held  positions  of  responsibilit}-  and  honor  in  the  order. 
He  had  but  little  taste  for  politics,  although  he  kept  himself  thor- 
oughly acquainted  with  the  questions  and  issues  of  the  day,  and 
voted  as  he  talked  —  intelligently  and  consistently.  He  was  an 
earnest  advocate  of  woman's  suffrage,  and  hoped  to  live  to  see  the 
day  when  all  persons,  irrespective  of  rank,  color  or  sex,  should 
have  the  same  rights  at  the  polls,  and  the  same  recognition  by  the 
laws  of  the  land.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Second  Congregational 
Church  in  Douglas  from  its  organization,  and  was  a  most  consist- 
ent Christian. 


LUTHER    STONE 

was  born  Sept.  22,  1801,  in  the  town  of  Leominster.  He  went  to 
Fitchburg  when  quite  young,  and  from  there  he  removed  to  Doug- 
las, about  the  year  1820,  with  his  brother  Theodore,  with  whom  he 
was  associated  in  the  business  of  masonry  for  many  years.  They 
built  several  houses  in  North  Uxb ridge,  Douglas  and  surround- 
ing towns,  doing  the  larger  part  of  the  brick  work.  About  the 
j^ear  1850   they   gave    up   working   at  their  trade,    and    Luther 


BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL — CONTINUED.         227 

worked  at  polishing  axes  for  a  while.  He  was  afterwards  employed 
in  keeping  books  for  Deacon  Hunt.  He  built  the  N.  W.  Preston 
house,  and  lived  there  for  a  time.  In  1858  he  removed  to  Wor- 
cester, and  of  his  residence  there  and  of  his  death  the  Worcester 
Spy  of  Friday,  Sept.  G,  1878,  speaks  in  the  following  terms : 
"  We  record  this  morning  the  decease  of  this  aged  and  worthy 
citizen,  who  was  taken  with  cholera  morbus  at  .Scarboro'  Beach, 
where  he  went  some  days  ago  for  rest  and  the  improvement  of  the 
slender  health  of  his  wife.  He  was  brouiiht  to  his  home  on  Ox- 
ford  street  in  a  prostrated  condition  on  Tuesday  evening,  and 
died  Thursda}'  morning,  lacking  seventeen  da^s  of  77  3'ears  of  age. 
Mr.  Stone  came  to  Worcester  from  East  Douglas  twenty-eight 
years  ago,  entering  the  employ  of  Henry  W.  Miller,  with  whom  he 
remained  until  his  death.  In  personal  habits  he  was  simple  and 
regular,  and  in  business  efficient  and  trustworthy.  His  native 
vigor  of  mind  suffered  no  apparent  decline,  but  kept  company  with 
an  almost  unabated  natural  force  of  body.  Until  seven  years  ago 
he  was  connected  with  the  Old  South  Church,  where,  as  a  teacher 
and  superintendent  of  its  Sunday-school,  he  rendered  acceptable 
service  for  man}'  years.  In  the  Plymouth  Church,  with  which  he 
afterwards  identified  himself,  he  was  universally  respected.  Al- 
wa3'S  unassuming,  his  worth  was  best  known  to  the  few  who  will 
most  sensibly  feel  his  loss." 


DR.   EZEKIEL  WOOD 

was  a  prominent  physician  in  East  Douglas.  He  studied  for  the 
medical  profession  and  received  his  diploma  at  Pittsfleld,  Mass., 
in  1828.  He]  practiced  medicine  in  Douglas  from  that  time  until 
his  death,  which  occurred  Nov.  4,  1850. 

"  It  has  fallen  to  the^^lot  of  few  to  gain  so  wide  a  reputation 
and  to  win  so  generally  the  public  confidence  as  did  the  Doctor." 
He  was  a  good  citizen,  a  successful  physician,  a  patron  of  learn- 
ing, and  a  supporter  of  religious  society.  He  was  a  prominent 
member  of  the  Odd  Fellows,  occup^'ing  the  rank  of  Noble  Grand 
at  the  time  of  his  death.  His  public  spiritedness  led  him  to  take 
a  deep  interest  in  the  cause  of  education,  and  whatever  tended  to 
promote  good  morals  in  the  community.     At  the  time  of  his  resi- 


228  HISTORY    OF    DOUGLAS. 

dence  here  the  High   School   was    su^jported  by  the   pa^-ment  of 
tuition  b}'  those  who  had  children  to  send.     Being  few  in  number, 
it  came  heavil3Mipon  some,  and,  not  having  children  of  his  own, 
he  provided  schooling  for  two  or  three  children,  and  at  his  death 
left  ^oOO  to  be  used  for  school  purposes.     This  is  now  known  as 
the  Dr.  Wood  Fund.     In  later  years  the  appropriation  of  ajjortion 
of  this  for  repairs  on  the  High  ScIkwI  Ijuilding  led  to  a  litigation  of 
the    subject  in  the  courts,    in  which   the    town   as  plaintitf  was- 
beaten  and  the  trustees  sustained. 


MR.  CHARLES   HUTCHINS, 

for  many  years  master  mechanic  of  the  Douglas  Axe  Compau}-,. 
was  born  inBiddeford,  Me.,  June  7,  1.S14.  Withoutthe  advantages, 
of  an  early  education,  his  sterling  character  was  developed  and 
moulded  in  youth  by  the  influence  of  a  Christian  mother,  and  his 
subsequent  success  was  attained  by  integrity  and  tireless  energy. 
He,  like  all  his  brothers,  was  a  natural  mechanic.  When  a  lad  of 
ten  3'ears  his  life  was  saved  from  drowning  by  Jarvis  Manly,  of 
Pennsylvania,  a  prominent  contractor,  and  engaged  in  the  build- 
ing of  heavy  machinery,  and  Mr.  Manl^'  ever  after  manifested 
great  interest  in  him,  and  subsequently  took  him  under  his 
patronage  and  into  his  employ.  Mr.  Hutchins  traveled  in  all 
sections  of  the  country,  setting  up  new  njachiner^'  and  starting 
rolling-mills  in  dift'erent  localities.  AVitli  the  assistance  of  Mr. 
Manly,  who  was  an  educated  man,  he  labored  hard  and  successfully 
to  overcome  the  defects  of  his  early  training,  and  soon  became  a 
master  mechanic. 

In  183-  Mr.  Manly  visited  Douglas  for  the  purpose  of  adding 
some  improved  machinery  for  cutting  l)ar  iron  to  the  Axe  Works, 
and  Mr.  Hutchins  came  to  set  it  u[).  About  this  time  he  became 
acquainted  with  Harriet  N.  Hunt,  whom  he  subsequently  married, 
and  then  removed  to  Hepburn,  Pa.,  where  he  operated  a  nail 
miU  till  184G,  when  he  returned  to  the  employ  of  the  Axe  Com- 
pany as  master  mechanic,  a  position  he  retained  until  his  death. 

He  was  the  iuA'entor  of  several  valuable  machines,  that  were  not 
only  successfully  introduced  to  the  public,  but  are  still  in  use  with 


BIOGRAPHICAL    AND   GENEALOGICAL — CONTINUED.         229 

Jbnt  few  improveinents,  so  perfect  were  the  original  (lesions.  Upon 
■his  niacbine  for  making  axe  polls,  an  invention  by  which  five  men 
with  one  machine  eonld  accomplish  more  than  twenty  men  were 
•able  to  do  Avithout  it,  he  spent  the  best  portion  of  his  life,  plan- 
ning, altering  and  perfecting,  with  the  conlidence  and  patience  of  a 
true  inventor,  and  nothing  has  yet  been  made  that  can  compete 
■with  it  successfiill}'. 

]Mr.  llutchins  Avas  a  man  of  great  nerve,  lirm  and  determined 
in  every  undertaking,  and  miwilling  to  yield  to  the  difficulties  that 
conquer  ordinar}'  men.  In  private  as  Avell  as  among  his  friends  he 
was  social  and  fond  of  pleasantry,  and  especially  a  thorough 
■believer  in  the  saying,  "there's  no  place  like  home."  In  faith  and 
practice  a  strong  temperance  man,  he  was  for  many  years  Secre- 
tary of  the  Sons  of  Temperance.  In  1864  he  was  elected  Repre- 
-sentative  to  the  General  Court  by  the  Republicans  of  his  district. 
In  the  Church  he  took  an  active  part,  engaging  in  all  branches  of 
Christian  work,  and  was  connected  with  the  Sabbath-school  either 
as  teacher  or  superintendent  as  long  as  he  lived.  Benevolent,  dis- 
cerning, firm  in  his  convictions  yet  reserved  in  the  expression  of 
them,  he  had  that  native  force  of  character  that  seemed  to  win  the 
InstinctiA'e  confidence  of  those  about  him. 

His  death,  which  occurred  April  10th,  18G7,  was  sudden  and 
painful,  and  marked  by  many  singular  coincidences.  While  ex- 
perimenting on  a  buzz-wheel  that  revolved  with  incredible  rapidity, 
a  defective  welding  of  the  rim  caused  it  to  burst,  and  one  of  the 
fl^'ing  fragments  inflicted  such  severe  injuries  that  he  lived  but  a 
few  hours.  The  pure  example  of  his  life  was  intensified  by  the 
suddenness  of  his  death,  and  left  a  deep  and  salutary  impression 
apon  the  communit}'. 


GARDNER    CHASE. 

Gardner  Chase,  for  many3-ears  a  prominent  and  honored  citizen 
of  Douglas,  was  born  in  Sutton  in  October,  1805.  AYhen  quite  young 
his  parents  removed  from  that  town  to  Burrillville,  R.  I.,  where  he 
remained  till  about  nineteen  j'ears  of  age,  when  he  came  to  Ux- 
bridge  to  attend  school  under  the  tuition  of  "Squire"  Jacques. 
He  boarded  at  Jona.  "Whipple's,  a  famous  resort  for  students 
in  those  da3's.     He  remained  in  Uxbridge  a  number  of  years  in  the 


230  HISTORY   OF   DOUGLAS. 

employ  of  the  Caprons,  and  then  went  to  Ljnn  to  carry  on  a  dry 
goods  and  grocery  store  in  company  with  another  man,  but  soon 
sold  out  his  interest  and  returned  to  the  mills  at  Uxbridge,  where 
he  remained  until  March,  1839,  when  he  removed  to  Douglas.  Here 
he  purchased  the  building  on  Main  street  opposite  the  Hunt  estate, 
took  the  store  already  established  in  the  same,  and  continued  a  suc- 
cessful business  for  many  3'ears.  In  time  the  business  accumulated 
to  such  an  extent,  and  his  devotion  to  it  was  so  complete  that  his 
health  became  impaired,  and  acting  under  the  advice  of  his  physi- 
cian, he  permanentl}' retired,  after  having  been  engaged  in  it  about 
twent}'  3-ears.  From  that  time  till  his  death  he  was  a  perfect  exam- 
ple of  incessant  industry,  being  constantl}'  occupied  as  health 
permitted  in  farming  and  other  duties.  He  was  for  a  long  time 
Chairman  of  the  Selectmen  and  the  Assessors,  besides  filling  other 
town  offices  —  went  one  term  to  the  Legislature,  and  was  frequently 

called  upon  to  settle  estates  and  give  advice  with  reference  to  the 
management  of  private  interests.  For  fifty  years  he  never  failed 
to  vote  on  election  da3%  and  the  last  3'ear  of  his  life,  though  hardly 
able,  he  insisted  on  being  carried  to  the  polls.  Scrupulousl}'  hon- 
est and  exact  in  trifles,  he  could  never  tolerate  in  others  that  petty 
carelessness  which,  to  say  the  least,  is  closely  related  to  dishonesty. 
Intelhgent  in  town  affairs,  practiced  in  all  matters  of  business,  never 
obtruding  himself  in  public,  he  alwaj's  readil}'  consecrated  his  ener- 
gies on  the  side  of  principle  or  to  the  faithful  discharge  of  the  duties 
of  an}'  position  he  was  called  to  fill.  Few,  if  any,  enjoyed  in  a 
greater  degree  the  confidence  and  respect  of  the  community.  He 
belonged  to  the  type  of  exceptional  men  who  live  in  the  memories 
of  people  long  after  others  are  forgotten,  just  as  some  days  in  the 
ever-gliding  years  stand  out  in  bold  relief  when  the  months  that 
came  with  them  have  gone  and  left  no  record. 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL  —  CONTINUED.  231 

DR.  .JOHN   TAYLOR. 

Dr.  Joiinisoii  was  succeeded  iu  practice  by  Dr.  John  Taylor, 
who  moved  to  Douglas  from  Lunenburg  in  1780.  He  took  the 
farm  then  owned  by  Dr.  Jennison,  the  same  now  occupied  by 
John  liobbins.  He  in  turn  was  succeeded  by  his  son,  Dr.  Samuel 
Taylor.  It  is  evident  from  the  journals  of  the  second  Provincial 
Congress  of  IMassachusets,  which  held  four  sessions  between  Feb. 
1,  1775,  and  May  29,  1775,  that  Dr.  Taylor  was  an  influential 
citizen  and  i)atriot  as  well  as  a  good  physician,  for  we  find  him 
enrolled  among  the  members  of  a  constant  succession  of  commit- 
tees, many  of  them  important,  throughout  this  Congress. 


SAMUEL  LOVETT 

was  born  in  Paxton,  Mass.,  Aug.  7,  1791,  and  died  at  the  house 
of  his  son,  Samuel  Pike  Lovett,  in  Uxbridge,  Oct.  12,  1864,  at 
the  ripe  age  of  73  years.  In  very  eai'ly  life  he  removed  to  Smith- 
field,  R.  I.,  where  he  was  employed  as  a  clerk  in  the  factor}' 
store  of  Samuel  Slater,  the  pioneer  cotton  manufacturer  of  Amer- 
ica. Here  he  not  only  became  proficient  in  mercantile  business, 
but  also  gained  a  good  insight  into  the  manufacture  of  cotton  cloths 
as  carried  on  at  that  day.  At  this  time  cloth  was  woven  on 
hand-looms  at  the  homes  of  the  weavers,  and  it  was  a  part  of  Mr. 
Lovett's  business  to  parcel  out  the  yarns  and  take  account  of  the 
cloth  when  returned. 

Here  he  became  acquainted  with  Miss  Lucinda  Courtney,  who 
was  born  iu  Providence,  R.  I.,  April  17,  1797,  and  to  whom  he 
was  married  in  Slatersville,  Sept.  17,  1815.  Mrs.  Lovett  was  a 
weaver,  and  it  was  the  practice  of  Mr.  Lovett  to  take  her  place  at 
the  loom  after  the  close  of  his  day's  labor  at  the  store  and  factory. 
By  their  united  industry  and  prudence  they  were  enabled  to  ac- 
cumulate a  respectable  sum  of  money  for  the  times  in  which  they 
lived,  and  thus  lay  a  foundation  for  that  measure  of  success  which 
attended  their  efforts  in  subsequent  life. 

About  the  year  182G  Mr.  Lovett  left  Slatersville  and  settled  in 
the  village  of  East  Douglas,  where  he  engaged  in  the  manufacture 
of  cotton  cloth,  in  company  with  the  late  George  Howe,  of  Boston. 


232  HISTORY   OP    DOUGLAS. 

This  firm  was  known  as  the  "  Douglas  ]\ranufacturing  Company," 
and  their  business  was  carried  on  in  the  old  green  mill  at  the 
Lower  Village,  as  it  was  formerly  called,  and  in  the  stone  factory 
which  stands  nearly  opposite  the  Heath  store.  After  a  number 
of  successful  years  in  tliis  ])usiness,  Mr.  Lovett  disposed  of  his 
interest  in  the  lower  mill,  and  obtained  the  sole  ownership  of  the 
upper,  or  stone  mill,  where  he  continued  business  till  about  the 
year  1849,  when  he  sold  his  establishment  to  the  Douglas  Axe 
Manufacturing  Company,  and  retired  from  active  business  life. 

Mr.  Lovett  was  a  model  manufacturer,  alwaj's  giving  his  personal 
attention  to  the  details  of  his  business,  by  which  he  was  enabled 
to  manufacture  the  best  goods  of  their  class.  He  always  regarded 
the  interests  of  his  help  with  thoughtful  solicitude,  and  there  are 
some  still  living  who  remember  him  with  grateful  affection.  The 
following  extracts  from  a  tribute  to  his  memor}-  by  his  pastor  and 
friend,  the  late  Rev.  Joshua  L.  Maynard,  is  well  deserved: 

"  He  was  one  of  the  kindest  of  men  to  all  in  his  employ,  often 
being  at  pains  to  minister  special  help  and  comfort  to  such  as 
were  in  need  of  them.  His  family  and  numerous  friends  w'ell 
remember  him  as  a  man  of  clear  and  discriminating  mind,  wise  in 
counsel,  of  an  even  and  amiable  disposition,  united  with  force  of 
character,  as  a  good  husband  and  father,  and  a  valuable  friend, 
and  (not  to  be  forgotten)  a  Christian  of  evangelical  views  and 
implicit  faith  and  hope." 

Mrs.  Lo\'ett  outlived  her  husband  seven  years,  her  death  occur- 
ring at  East  Douglas  June  8,  1871,  in  the  74th  year  of  her  age. 
In  a  notice  which  appeared  in  the  local  newspaper  soon  after  her 
decease,  ;t  was  said  of  her  that  "•  she  was  a  woman  of  much  more 
than  common  ability,  possessing  unusual  energy  and  decision  of 
character,  always  industrious,  and  ever  ready  to  lend  a  helping 
hand  where  her  services  were  needed.     In  the  sick-room  her  as- 
sistance was  often  required  while  health  lasted,  and  she  was  al- 
ways ready  to  do  what  she   could.     Her  interest  also  in  public 
affairs  was  noticeable.     Whatever  tended  to  elevate  and  improve 
society  and  the  community  in  which  she   dwelt  for  so  many  years 
received  her  aid   and  support.     In  the  religious  parish  and  the 
Church  (Congregational)   with  which  for  a  numlier  of  years  she 
was  connected,  she  felt  a  deep  and  liveh-  interest,  and  many  are 
the  works  that  attest  her  devotion  and   attachment  to  their  best 


BIOGRAPHICAL    AND   GENEALOGICAL  —  CONTINUED.        233 

good.  AVheu  such  a  person  departs,  the  coiumunit3',  as  well  as 
those  who  are  nearest  and  dearest  by  the  ties  of  eai'thlyafl'ection, 
■•suffer  no  common  bereavement,  and  :ill  will  miss  her  and  mourn 
her  loss." 

The  remains  of  each  rest  in  a  beautiful  lot  in  Rural  Cenieterj', 
Worcester,  which  Mr.  Lovett  purchased  some  years  before  his  de- 
cease, and  w,here  he  erected  a  massive  monument  of  marble  to 
perpetuate  the  famil}'  name. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lovett  had  the  following  children  :  1.  Mary  Ann, 
born  at  Smithfield,  R.  I.,  July  22,  181.S,  married  to  Scotto  Berry, 
son  of  Scotto  Berry,  of  Hardwick  ;  she  died  at  AVorcester,  No- 
vember, ISG.'i.  2.  Lucinda,  born  at  Smithfield,  R.  L,  May  7, 
1821  ;  married  at  East  Douglas  to  Samuel  Elias  Staples,  Dec.  2;"), 
1844,  by  Rev.  Chauncoy  D.  Rice.  3.  Samuel  Pike,  born  at  Smith- 
field,  R.  I.,  March  31.  1«24  ;  married  Sarah  Ann,  daughter  of  Job 
■and  Sarah  Balcome  Knapp,  of  East  Douglas.  4.  Frances  Eliza- 
beth, born  in  East  Douglas  Nov.  29,  182G  ;  married  Frederick 
Brigham,  of  Worcester,  a.  INIinerva  Malvina,  born  in  East 
Douglas  Sept.  16,  1834;  married  Isaac  S.  Balcome,  formerlj' of 
Douglas,  now  of  Brunswick,  Maine.  6.  Harriet  Berry,  born  in 
East  Douglas  May  5,  1831),  died  September,  1842. 


DR.    D.   P.  WHITE. 

Dr.  D.  P.  White,  a  well-known  physician  of  Douglas,  was  born 
in  the  southern  part  of  the  town,  about  the  year  1806.  He  early 
manifested  a  strong  preference  for  the  medical  profession,  and  al- 
though his  parents  were  too  poor  to  give  him  the  necessary  educa- 
tion, this  inclination  was  so  ardent  that  he  was  able  to  overcome 
•every  obstacle.  By  teaching  school  in  the  winter  season,  and  doing 
v^arious  other  kinds  of  both  mental  and  manual  work,  he  struggled 
"bravely  in  order  that  he  might  meet  all.  his  expenses.  He  entered 
upon  the  study  of  medicine  in  Bellingham  with  Dr.  Thurber,  grad- 
uated at  Pittsfield  Medical  College,  and  finally  entered  upon  the 
practice  of  his  profession,  which  he  followed  through  a  period  of 
forty-three  years,  thirty  of  which  were  spent  in  Douglas. 

While  his  chief  energies  centered  in  his  profession,  he  was  inter- 
ested in  all  educational  matters,   was  alwavs  present   at  lectures, 


234  HISTORY   OP   DOUGLAS. 

literary  entertainmonts,  and  all  exercises  of  a  public  character  con- 
nected with  the  schools.  Thoufih  inclined  to  l)e  conservative,  he 
was  b}'  no  means  averse  to  new  ideas  of  practical  value,  but  was 
seldom  led  astray  by  popular  notions.  In  politics  he  was  out- 
spoken, regardless  of  polic}'.  Of  a  jovial  temperament,  he  could 
not  resist  the  temptation  to  give  or  to  take  a  joke,  and  his  regular 
appearance  in  the  post-otfice  of  a  winter  evening  was  the  signal  to 
prepare  for  laughter. 

He  was  in  poor  health  for  nearly  two  years  before  his  death, 
which  took  place  May  23,  1874,  when  his  son,  Dr.  Levi  White, 
who  had  just  graduated  from  Bellevue  Medical  College,  succeeded 
to  his  practice. 


ARCHELAUS   STONE. 

Archelaus  Stone,  a  carpenter  and  builder  bj^  trade,  who  was 
intimately  connected  with  the  building  interests  throughout  the 
southern  part  of  Worcester  county,  lived  on  a  farm  about  a  mile 
north  of  the  village  of  East  Douglas.  As  he  became  known  for 
skill  and  industry,  work  came  in  from  neighl)oring  towns  and 
cities,  so  that  he  was  eminent!}'  successful  in  business,  employing- 
a  large  number  of  men.  At  his  death,  which  occurred  Jan.  1, 
1856,  he  left  a  large  family  of  children,  several  of  whom  still  live- 
in  Douglas. 


3IILTON   D.   AVHIPPLE. 

Milton  D.  Whipple,  first  son  of  Welcome  Whipple,  Esq.^ 
was  probably  one  of  the  most  active  and  ingenious  men  that  ever 
lived  in  Douglas,  and  he  was  chiefly  known  as  the  originator  of 
several  useful  inventions.  One  of  them,  a  machine  for  cutting 
files,  gave  such  promise  of  utilit}"  that  a  stock  company  was  formed 
to  manufacture  them  for  market,  in  which  he  owned  stock  to  the 
amount  of  $40,000.  The  company  subsequently  failed,  and  he 
lost  the  whole.  Although  another  invention  of  his,  a  burring 
machine  used  in  the  manufacture  of  woolen  goods,  proved  of  great 
practical  value,  he  met  the  fate  of  many  inventors  in  failing  to  reap 
any  substantial  benefit  from  its  adoption,  and  it  cost  him  more  to 
defend  his  rights  than  he  ever  received  in  consequence  of  them. 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL  —  CONTINUED.  235 

Until  his  death  he  was  constantly  occupied  with  efforts  to  utilize 
"new  ideas."  lie  succeeded  in  perfecting  a  lax'ge  number  of  ma- 
chines. 


ClILLKX  WHIPPLK, 

also  son  of  Welcome  Whipple,  Esq.,  a  machinist  by  trade,  for 
several  yenrs  a  resident  of  Douglas,  won  some  celebrit}'  on  account 
of  his  successful  invention  of  a  machine  for  the  manufacture  of 
gimlet-pointed  screws.  It  was  made  in  the  l)rick  house  on  Main 
street,  now  owned  by  Mr.  N.  S.  Caswell.  After  this  machine  was 
partially  perfected  Mr.  Whipple  removed  to  Providence,  R.  I., 
where,  in  connection  with  one  Hopkins  and  Philip  Stiness,  he 
organized  a  company  for  the  manufacture  of  screws,  which,  as 
other  parties  were  interested,  finally  developed  into  the  New  Eng- 
land Screw  Company.  Mr.  Whipple  obtained  a  portion  of  the 
stock,  and  a  position  in  the  company-  wuth  a  salary  of  $2,000  per- 
annum.  He  sold  the  renewal  of  his  patent  for  $4,000,  and  finally,, 
after  inventing  a  wool  combing  machine  that  promised  well,  gave- 
up  his  connection  with  the  Companj'  and  went  to  England,  where 
he  sold  this  last  improvement  for  £2,000. 


IiY3IAN  PARSONS. 


Among  the  former  postmasters  of  our  town,  Lyman  Parsons 
will  be  remembered  by  man}-  of  our  citizens.  He  was  born  in 
Ludlow,  but  his  father  soon  after  moved  to  Monson,  where  he 
spent  the  early  years  of  his  life,  and  received  his  education  at  the- 


Monson  Academy.  He  removed  in  1831  to  Douglas  from  Whitins- 
ville,  wliere  he  was  employed  as  a  clerk.  He  taught  school  for  a 
number  of  years  at  the  Forge  District  (now  No.  3),  and  afterwards 
in  a  private  school.     He  was  for  twenty-five  years  a  Justice  of  the 


236  HISTORY   OF    DOUGLAS. 

l*ejice,  a  Notary  Pul)lic,  and  was  in  the  United  States  Revenue 
service  as  Collector  durino;  the  war.  In  1851  he  became  agent  for 
the  old  Worcester  Mutual  Life  Insurance  Co.  (succeeding  Rev. 
Chauncej'  D.  Rice,  who  was  its  first  agent  in  Douglas),  and  con- 
tinued in  the  insurance  business  until  the  time  of  his  death,  which 
took  i)lace  Feb.  12,  1875.  He  was  postmaster  for  about  three 
jears  prior  to  that  time,  and  the  last  public  act  of  his  life  was  sign- 
ing his  resignation  as  such. 


S.  W.   HEATH 

was  born  at  Marblehead,  Mass.,  in  1805,  and  learned  the  paper- 
maker's  trade  at  Franklin,  Mass.  The  business  did  not  agree  with 
bim,  and  he  returned  home.  lie  subsequently  came  to  Douglas, 
and  went  to  Avork  in  the  store  of  Job  and  Moses  Knapp,  in  the  old, 
low  buildings  now  standing  on  the  Knapp  place.  After  Moses 
Knapp  withdrew  from  the  firm  Mr.  Heath  bought  a  half  interest 
in  the  establishment.     He  soon  after  moved  to  the  store  on  Main 


^street,  and  became  sole  proi)rietor,  continuing  so  for  forty  years, 
until  his  retirement  from  active  business  life.  During  the  latter 
3'ears  of  his  life  he  was  Trial  Justice,  and  filled  that  office  with 
much  acceptability.  He  had  a  clear  sense  of  justice,  and  gave 
his  decisions  without  regard  to  outside  influences.  He  was  a  cau- 
tious, far-seeing  business  man,  a  man  to  be  trusted  in  any  respon- 
sible position,  and  these  qualities  fitted  him  for  the  town  offices  he 
was  called  upon  to  fill  during  so  many  years. 


MK.  JEREMIAH   B.  lATHEK 


"was  born  Feb.  G,  1805,  and  came  to  Douglas  at  the  age  of  14.     He 
was  a  man  of  few  words,  but  exerted  an  influence  for  good  wher- 


BIOGRAPHICAL    AND   GENEALOGICAL — CONTINUED.         23T 

ever  he  went.  lie  was  a  constant  attendant  at  church,  a  teacher 
in  the  Sunda^'-school  for  man}-  years,  where  he  accomphshed  much 
good  througli  his  fiiithful  hibors  in  that  capacity,  as  well  as  by  his 
example.  He  twice  represented  the  town  in  the  Legislature,  and 
was  a  most  active  and  useful  member  of  the  community,  and  in  his 
life  strictly  exemplified  his  religious  principles  and  profession.  He 
:lied  Aug.  8,  1873. 


WARREN   HU3IES,   ESQ., 

son  of  Amos  Humes,  was  born  in  July,  1802.  He  possessed  to  a 
great  degree  the  native  ability  which  characterized  his  father.  His 
education  was  limited,  but  notwithstanding  this  lack  of  early 
advantages  he  made  his  mark  in  the  world,  and  exerted  a  power- 
ful influence  in  local  affairs  generally.  He  was  endowed  with  a 
remarkable  memory,  being  able  to  retain  and  correctl}-  impart  a  vast 
amount  of  general  information.  He  commenced  surveying  at  25 
years  of  age,  and  was  for  j'ears  considered  the  best  land  survej-or  in 
the  south  part  of  Worcester  count}'.  He  was  good  authorit}'  on  real 
estate  law,  making  it  a  part  of  his  business  as  surveyor  to  be  thor- 
oughl}'  posted  thereon.  He  was  Justice  of  the  Peace,  and  was. 
largely'  employed  in  executing  deeds  and  other  legal  documents  ; 
and  so  accuratel}'  was  this  business  done  that  little  opportunitj'^  was. 
afforded  the  lawj'ers  in  detecting  errors.  As  an  adviser  he  was 
safe  to  follow,  and  his  statements  were  alwaj's  backed  b}'  proofs. 
For  about  thirt}'  years,  at  the  head  of  the  Democratic  part}'  in 
Douglas,  he  may  be  said  to  have  controlled  the  town  in  all  matters 
of  importance.  The  question  of  purchasing  a  town  farm,  instead 
of  renting  one,  as  formerly,  came  up  before  the  town,  and  encoun- 
tered his  opposition.  After  a  warm  and  lengthy  discussion,  in 
which  he  did  not  approve  of  buying  the  one  suggested,  the  propo- 
sition to  purchase  succeeded,  and  the  'Squire  failed  to  carry  his 
point,  for  the  first  time,  probal)ly.  in  many  years.  The  significance 
of  this  \'ictoi'y  ma}'  be  estimated  from  the  great  excitement  follow- 
ing, guns  lieing  fired  and  a  general  jollification  taking  place. 

Many  incidents  are  related  showing  his  rare  promptness  and 
accuracy  in  business.  One  of  the  legal  hearings  in  which  he  was 
interested  came  on  at  "Worcester.     The  counsel  needed  an  accurate 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND   GENEALOGICAL — CONTINUED.  239 

plan  of  the  land  in  dispnte,  and  snpposod  as  a  matter  of  conrse 
that  it  was  quite  impossible  to  get  it  at  that  late  hour  in  the  trial. 
On  learning  what  was  needed  the  'Squire  volunteered  to  furnish 
it,  and  left  Worcester  for  his  home  at  5  o'clock  in  the  afternoon. 
The  night  was  clear  and  cold,  and  there  was  some  snow  Ijing  on 
the  ground.  On  reaching  his  house  he  took  the  necessary  survey- 
ing instruments  and  proceeded  to  the  land  in  question,  which  was 
near  Shockalog  Pond,  made  the  survey  b}'  the  light  of  tallow 
candles,  returned  to  his  house,  made  his  plan,  and  presented  it  in 
court  at  9  o'clock  the  next  morning.  It  is  hardly  necessary  to  add 
that  he  won  the  case. 


EUNICE    BALCOME, 

wife  of  Ellis  Balcome,  or  '•  Aunt  Eunice,"  as  she  was  universally 
known,  deserves  notice  as  one  of  the  best  and  most  respected 
women  of  Douglas.  She  was  possessed  of  a  mild  and  gentle  dis- 
position, and  was  characterized  by  great  strength  of  mind 
as  well  as  soundness  of  judgment.  She  was  also  blessed  with 
great  powers  of  endurance,  and  was  alwa^'s  readv  to  be  serviceable 
to  those  about  her,  nothing  but  absolute  necessity  preventing  her 
from  rendering  ever}'  assistance  in  her  power  to  the  sick  and  suf- 
fering. She  was  thus  by  years  of  self-sacrifice  and  devotion  to 
others'  interests  endeared  to  them  b}^  strongest  ties  of  friendship. 
In  all  of  her  intercourse  with  her  neighbors  she  showed  herself  a 
sociable,  companionable,  warm-hearted  friend,  and  she  was  often 
cheered  by  manj*  tokens  of  the  kindly  feeling  entertained  for  her 
b}'  all.  Persons  of  all  ages,  and  especiall}'  the  children,  gi-eatlj-- 
loved  her  society,  and  she  was  the  recipient  of  many  loving  and 
deeply  prized  favors  during  her  last  days. 


MOSES    KNAPP,    ESQ., 

who  died  May  29,  1868,  was  a  wealth}-  and  influential  citizen  of 
our  town.  He  was  for  many  3'ears  Superintendent  of  the  Howe 
Mills,  and  was  possessed  of  excellent  business  talents.  He  accu- 
mulated a  handsome  propert}',   and  on  all  matters  of  finance  he 


240  HISTORY   OF  DOUGLAS. 

was  considered  good  authoiity,  and  his  advice  was  often,  sought.. 
Mr.  Knapp  married  Ola  Balcome,  daughter  of  John  and  Milhe  Bal- 
come.  The  following  children  survive  him  :  William,  Fanny,  Ben- 
jamin, Mary  Ann,  Edward  B.,  Moses  M.,  Almira  M.,  and  Henry 
H.     Mrs.  Knapp  is  still  living  in  East  Douglas. 


WELCOME    WHIPPLE,   ESQ., 

born  in  Smithfield,  R.  I.,  Sept.  12,  1772,  removed  about  the  3-ear 
1800  to  Petersham,  Mass.,  and  afterwards  to  Pawtucket,  R.  I. 
In  the  year  1811  he  took  up  his  residence  in  East  Douglas,  where 
he  engaged  in  manufacturing,  being  one  of  the  proprietors  in  the 
Douglas  Cotton  Manufacturing  Company. 

After  the  lapse  of  some  fbiu'teen:  years,  he  purchased  a  farm  in 
South  Sutton,  about  a  mile  south  of  the  famous  "Purgatory,"' 
where  he  was  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits  for  a  short  time, 
after  which  we  find  him  living  again  in  East  Douglas,  being  drawn 
thither  by  the  solicitations  of  his  children  and  grandchildren, 
with  whom  he  was  ever  a  great  faAorite.  On  his  death,  which  oc- 
curred Nov.  18th,  1852,  his  remains  were  buried  in  South  Sutton.. 

Mr.  Whipple  was  in  early  life  a  Baptist,  and  as  such  he  con- 
tributed largel}'  to  the  erection  of  the  Baptist  church  in  South 
Sutton  and  in  support  of  the  gospel  there.  But  his  religious  s^-m- 
pathies  and  efforts  were  by  no  means  limited  to  the  circle  of  that 
denomination.  About  the  year  1845  he  was  mainl}^  instrumental 
in  establishing  an  Independent  Methodist  Church  in  his  neighbor- 
hood, at  South  Sutton,  erecting  a  building  for  it  at  his  own  expense, 
and  sustaining  its  worship  for  years  by  his  almost  unaided  lib- 
eralit3^ 

Mr.  Whipple  was  deservedly  held  in  the  highest  respect  and 
esteem  by  all  who  knew  him.  Repeatedly  he  served  as  Repre- 
sentative in  the  Massachusetts  Legislature,  member  of  the  Board 
of  Selectmen,  Deacon,  Justice  of  the  Peace,  etc. 

He  was  of  a  rather  delicate  organization,  nervous  temperament, 
of  fine-grained  qualit3',  bodily'  and  mentally,  a  man  of  taste,  and  not 
lacking  in  culture.  In  his  boyhood  he  had  made  considerable  prog- 
ress in  preparing  for  college,  and.  the  classical  predilections  and 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND   GENEALOGICAL   DEPARTMENT.  241 

acquisitions  of  his  early  life  were  not  lost.  He  read  much.  The 
names  he  gave  to  his  sons  indicated  his  favorite  authors,  —  Milton, 
Virgil,  Dryden,  Homer,  Justin,  Cullen.  The  sons  all  showed  me- 
chanical ingenuity,  and,  like  their  father,  they  were  all  musicians. 
Two  of  them,  Milton  and  Cullen,  were  the  inventors  of  valuable 
machines,  as  the  records  of  the  United  States  Patent  Office  at 
Washington  testify.  His  two  daughters,  Mary  Ann  and  Ardahssa, 
were  married  to  Mr.  Jonathan  Sprague  and  Mr.  B.  Norberry,  re- 
spectively. His  wife,  whose  maiden  name  was  Amy  Whipple,  and 
whom  he  married  in  Cumberland,  R.  I.,  in  1796,  was  one  of  the 
most  sweet-souled,  blameless,  and  estimable  of  women.  She  died 
Nov.  18,  1851,  and  sleeps  b}'  his  side  in  the  little  graveyard  at 
South  Sutton. 


THEODORE    STONE, 

for  many  j'ears  a  resident  of  East  Douglas,  will  be  remembered 
as  a  man  of  rare  financial  ability  and  active  business  habits. 
Although  not  possessing  a  large  fortune,  yet  during  his  life-time  he 
did  more  than  any  other  man  to  encourage  industry  by  generous 
financial  help.  Some  of  the  successful  manufacturing  enterprises 
of  to-day  owe  their  present  success  largely  to  the  encouragement 
they  received  from  Mr.  Stone  while  they  were  in  their  infancy  and 
struggling  for  an  existence. 

His  keen  foresight  and  good  judgment  made  him  a  safe  adviser, 
and  in  later  j'ears  of  his  life  he  devoted  much  of  his  time  to  the 
settlement  of  estates  and  the  discharge  of  other  important  trusts. 

Mr.  Stone  came  to  Douglas  from  Leominster  about  the  year 
1820,  with  his  brother  Luther,  remaining  until  the  time  of  his  death. 

It  is  difficult,  if  not  impossible,  in  a  work  of  this  kind  to  com- 
prise a  list  of  all  the  names  worth}'  of  particular  allusion.  It  must  be 
incomplete.  "  Time  would  fail  us  to  tell  of  Gideon,  and  of  Barak, 
and  of  Sampson,  and  of  Jephthah  ;  of  David  also,  and  Samuel,  and 
of  the  prophets."  The  records  of  the  town  are  marked  through- 
out with  names  of  men  who,  in  their  da}',  were  identified  with  the 
interests  of  the  town  as  officers  or  faithful  citizens.     We  mention 

16 


242 


HISTORY   OF    DOUGLAS. 


the  following  as  among  those 

now  living  :  — 

Nathaniel  Fry  Morse, 
Samuel  Baleome, 
Benjamin  Buffum, 
Jedediah  Bigelow, 
Aaron  Marsh, 
Dr.  Robert  P.  Church, 
Benjamin  Cragin, 
Stephen  Southworth, 
Job  Knapp, 
John  Thayer. 


who  will  be  remembered  by  many 

Robert  Rogerson, 
Caleb  Whiting, 
Edmund  Carpenter, 
Samuel  Amidon, 
Capt.  John  Brown, 
Colonel  Baleome, 
Parley  Gould, 
Aaron  Benson, 
Nathaniel  Carpenter. 


CHAPTER    XVI. 


MANUFACTURES. 


E  have  had  occasion  ah-eady  to  refer  to  the  spirit  of 
enterprise  which  from  the  first  seemed  to  distin- 
guish the  settlers  in  "  ye  four  thousand  acres  of 
country  land,"  as  the  town  land  grant  was  styled 
in  the  early  records.  Long  prior  to  the  separation  from  Sherborn 
this  characteristic  of  the  bold  adventurers  to  this  region  shows 
itself,  if  not  quite  so  creditably  in  all  respects,  certainly  with  a 
good  deal  of  energy,  as  the  following  extract  from  the  Sherborn 
records  shows  : 

' '  Large  quantities  of  shingles  were  manufactured  from  ye  excel- 
lent cedar  of  Badluck  and  Walluni  Pond  cedar  swamps,  insomuch 
that  ye  people  of  Sherborn,  to  whom  je  inhabitants  acknowledged 
allegiance,  were  compelled  to  choose  a  committee  and  invest  them 
with  power  to  bring  to  punishment  any  persons  that  shall  presume 
to  cut,  strip  or  pillage  any  wood  or  timber  on  said  lot  without 
right.  Hoops  and  barrel-staves  were  also  manufactured  in  con- 
siderable quantities  by  the  early  settlers,  and  transported  over  the 
Colony  Road  (which  was  then  the  only  road  through  this  part  of 
the  Province),  through  the  town  of  Mendon  to  Boston  market. 
There  was  also  a  saw-mill  in  the  easterly  section  of  the  town,  where 
boards  were  manufactured,  and  the  onlj'  grain-mill  for  many  miles 
around  was  located  there." 

One  of  the  first  and  most  imperative  demands  of  a  newly-set- 
tled countr}^  —  lumber  for  building  purposes  —  having  been  met 
thus  early  and  profitably',  the  way  was  naturally  paved  for  a  more 
S3'stematic  development  of  the  manufacturing  energy  of  the  people. 
The  result  has  proved  this  initial  venture  to  have  been  one  so  well 


244  HISTORY   OF   DOUGLAS. 

supplemented  in  the  town's  history  that  it  has  proved  a  somewhat 
notable  feature  in  its  subsequent  career.  The  following  account 
of  some  of  the  earlier  enterprises  in  this  line  we  have  taken  mainly 
from  the  Douglas  Herald:  — 

THE   WALLIS    PLANING-MILL. 

About  the  year  1805  Benjamin  Cragin  built  a  saw-mill  on  the 
small  stream  which  furnishes  power  for  Wallis's  box-mill,  at  a  jooint 
about  one-fourth  of  a  mile  from  the  turnpike,  on  a  road  formerly 
leading  to  Manchaug,  but  since  then  discontinued.  It  was  after- 
wards owned  by  David  Wallis.  It  was  torn  down  in  1844,  and 
another  building,  intended  for  an  axe  shop,  was  erected  on  its  site 
by  Dr.  Ezekiel  Wood,  Oliver  Hunt  Lee  and  Jonathan  Sprague. 
No  axes  were  manufactured  there,  however,  and  it  was  afterwards 
used  for  a  grist-mill,  a  saw-mill  and  a  shingle-mill.  Subsequently 
an  addition  was  made  to  it  for  the  purpose  of  vising  it  for  a  woolen 
mill,  and  it  was  then  leased  to  Morton  Smith,  James  Simmons  and 
Eli  Darhng,  for  the  manufacture  of  what  was  called  "  negro  cloth," 
from  which  fact  the  mill  became  known  us  the  "  Negro  Mill."  In 
the  winter  of  1845  it  was  destroyed  by  fire,  and  from  that  time 
until  1852  it  remained  unoccupied,  when  Joseph  T.  Walhs  and 
Cole  Arnold  purchased  the  privilege  and  erected  a  building  for  a 
planing-raill.  In  1856  the}'  took  the  contract  for  making  packing 
boxes  for  the  Douglas  Axe  Manufacturing  Company,  since  which 
time  the  mill  has  been  owned  and  run  by  Joseph  T.  and  Ira 
Wallis.  In  1872  tliey  purchased  the  Morse  reservoir  for  storing  a 
more  ample  supply  of  water.  In  order  to  furnish  power  for  this 
mill  at  the  time  it  was  built  (about  1849),  it  was  found  necessary 
to  conduct  the  water  through  a  trench  excavated  ai-ound  the  steep 
side  of  a  hill,  and  several  feet  above  its  base.  When  the  trench 
was  completed  and  the  water  introduced,  the  soil,  being  of  a 
sandy  nature,  absorbed  the  water  to  such  an  extent  that  the  pond 
"was  exhausted  before  the  water  could  reach  the  mill,  and  the  enter- 
prise was  deemed  a  complete  failure  ;  but  after  repeated  trials  the 
trench  was  found  to  answer  the  purpose  for  w^hich  it  had  been 
constructed,  and  does  so  at  the  present  da}^  From  this  circum- 
stance the  privilege  was  known  as  the  ' '  Sand  Bank  "  for  many 
years. 


MANUFACTURES.  245 


SAMUEL     LEGG's    FULLING-MILL. 


In  about  a  3'ear  from  Mr.  Cragin's  investment  in  this  direction 
Mr.  Samuel  Legg,  a  cloth  dresser,  who  lived  on  the  farm  latterly 
"known  as  the  "Warren  Hunt  place,"  erected  a  small  wooclen 
Ijuilding  on  the  south  side  of  the  river,  near  the  upper  stone  arch 
"bridge,  which  was  used  as  a  fulling-mill.  Two  3'ears  afterwards 
the  building  was  carried  away  by  a  freshet,  and  Mr.  Legg  was 
financially  ruined.  Not  being  able  to  rebuild  without  assistance, 
means  were  furnished  him  for  this  purpose  by  Benjamin  Adams, 
and  the  new  building  was  erected  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  river, 
on  land  owned  by  Benjamin  Cragin. 

cragin's  satinet-mill. 

Mr.  Cragin  subsequently  enlarged  this  building  by  adding  a 
second  story  for  a  wool-carding  department.  He  was  the  first 
manufacturer  of  satinet  in  Massachusetts.  The  wool  was  carded 
at  this  mill,  the  spinning  done  on  hand-spinning  frames,  and  the 
cloth  woven  on  hand-looms.  The  warp  used  was  furnished  at  the 
Preston  factory.  In  almost  every  household  there  was  some  per- 
son who  manufactured  cloth  on  hand  machines,  the  wool  being 
x3arded  at  Cragin's  mill,  and  the  cloth  dressed  at  Legg's  fulling-mill. 

Benjamin  Cragin  formerly  lived  in  Uxbridge,  moving  to  Douglas 
about  the  year  1797.  He  married  the  daughter  of  Moses  Hill,  and 
built  the  lower  part  of  the  Lovell  Southwick  tenement.  This  he 
fitted  for  a  store,  remaining  there  until  1813,  when  Benjamin 
Adams  was  admitted  to  partnership  with  him,  and  the  firm  was 
styled  Benjamin  Cragin  &  Co.  In  the  same  j'ear  thej' built  a  small 
factoiy  adjoining  Samuel  Legg's  fulUng-mill,  directly  opposite  to 
the  dam  now  standing,  which  was  designed  for  the  manufacture  of 
both  cotton  and  woolen  goods,  and  contained  all  the  necessary 
machinery.  Thej^  also  built  two  of  the  tenement  houses  now 
standing  near  that  place,  besides  others  that  have  since  been 
removed. 

In  1819  Josiah  and  John  Adams  were  admitted  to  partnership. 
The  firm  was  dissolved  in  April,  1824,  by  the  withdrawal  of  Mr. 
Cragin,  and  was  succeeded  b}'  J.  Adams  &  Co.,  the  members 
being  Benjamin  Adams  and  his  two  sons,  Josiah  and  John.  One- 
half  of  the  real  estate  owned  b}'  the  old  firm  was  retained  b}'  Mr. 


246  HISTORY   OF   DOUGLAS. 

Cragin  until  Sei>tomber,  1826,  when  it  was  purchased  bj'  J.  Adams 
&  Co. .  giving  them  the  proprietorship  of  the  factory,  water  privilege, 
machinery,  tenements,  etc.  The  old  gentleman  was  identified 
with  the  business  and  history  of  his  town  for  many  years,  possess- 
ing wealth,  energy  and  ability.  He  represented  the  Worcester 
South  District  in  the  Congress  of  the  United  States  from  1815  ta 
1822,  and  died  in  March,  1837,  honored  and  respected  b}'  every 
one. 

John  Adams,  the  junior  member  of  this  firm,  came  from  Ux- 
bridge  Nov.  28,  1814,  and  entered  the  store  of  Benjamin  Cragin 
&  Co.  as  a  clerk.  As  manufacturers  of  cloth,  the  firm  would  pur- 
chase cotton  by  the  bale  and  distribute  it  among  families,  who 
were  at  first  obliged  to  subject  the  cotton  to  a  whipping  pro- 
cess to  remove  the  dirt,  when  it  was  picked  apart  and  the  seeds 
separated  b^'  hand.  After  the  cotton  thus  i)repared  had  been 
spun  into  yarn  at  the  mill  it  was  again  distributed  among  weavers, 
who  made  it  into  cloth  upon  hand-looms,  which  were  supplanted 
eventually  by  looms  operated  by  water-power. 

CASSIMERE    FACTORY. 

After  the  firm  of  J.  Adams  &  Co.  was  formed  they  engaged  in 
the  manufacture  of  cassimeres,  running  two  sets  of  machinery. 
They  also  stocked  a  mill  standing  near  the  Baxter  Morse  place, 
which  was  run  b}-  Simeon  and  John  Darling,  for  the  manu- 
facture of  satinets,  furnishing  all  the  wool  and  receiving  the  cloth 
from  the  looms  before  dressing.  The  Darlings  owned  two  small 
mills,  one  of  which  was  burned,  and  the  other  was  afterwards 
moved  away.     They  operated  two  sets  of  machiner}'. 

J.  Adams  &  Co.  failed  March  17,  1828.  During  the  preceding 
winter  manufacturing  business  was  exceedingly  dull.  Goods  made 
at  their  mill  wei-e  consigned  to  commission  merchants  in  the  prin- 
cipal cities,  and  advances  were  made  to  them  to  the  amount  of  one 
half  their  value.  A  large  quantity  of  these  goods  remained  unsold 
in  the  hands  of  the  merchants,  and  much  difficulty  was  experi- 
enced in  raising  means  to  meet  pressing  obligations.  It  was 
finally  decided  to  consult  with  a  personal  friend  as  to  the  advisa- 
bility of  making  an  assignment  of  all  their  effects  and  suspending 
operations.  Such  a  consultation  was  held,  Josiah  being  necessarily 
absent,  as  he  was  confined  to  his  bed  with  consumption.     The  maa 


MANUFACTURES.  247 

thus  taken  into  confidence  was  shown  through  the  establishment, 
and  the  exact  condition  of  tlie  financial  affairs  of  the  firm  explained 
to  him.  He  was  asked  if  an  assignment  had  not  better  be  made, 
and  his  answer  was,  "  no  ;  there  will  be  no  difficulty  in  getting 
along."  He  advised  a  mortgage  of  the  property,  to  secure  J. 
Capron  &  Sons  as  endorsers  at  the  Blackstone  Bank  ;  and  such  a 
mortgage  was  given,  as  appears  by  the  records  of  the  llegistr}'  of 
Deeds,  dated  March  3,  1828,  for  the  sum  of  $11,771.  This  was 
the  only  incumbrance  upon  the  property,  and  within  ten  days  it 
was  reduced  to  less  than  $6,000  by  selling  off'  a  portion  of  the 
land  and  applying  the  proceeds  towards  canceling  the  mortgage. 

Josiah  Adams  died  on  the  14th  of  March,  and  Samuel  C,  his 
son,  died  on  the  2 2d  of  the  same  month.  On  the  day  of  Josiah's 
funeral  (the  17th)  a  son  of  the  friend  whose  advice  had  been 
sought  and  followed  appeared  with  demands  against  the  firm,  and 
the  property  was  attached.  To  add  to  their  embarrassment,  J. 
Adams  &  Co.  had  endorsed  a  note  for  Paul  Dudley  &  Son,  which 
matured  about  this  time,  and  was  protested  and  sued.  The  writ 
was  returnable  at  the  March  term  of  the  court,  and,  instead  of 
allowing  the  case  to  be  defaulted,  Mr.  Dudley  secured  a  continua- 
tion of  the  suits  against  himself  until  June,  1829,  which  also 
retarded  the  disposition  of  the  attachments  upon  the  Adams  prop- 
erty-. Then  the  laud  was  set  off,  in  justification  of  this  claim,  at 
an  appraised  value  not  exceeding  one-half  its  marketable  price 
eighteen  months  before  ;  the  costs  of  suits  also  swallowed  up  a 
large  sum  ;  the  right  of  redemption  of  the  factory  and  machinery 
was  sold  b}'  sheriff's  sale  for  five  dollars  ;  and  J.  Adams  &  Co. 
were  bankrupt,  with  heavy  liabilities.  It  was  a  time  of  great 
financial  distress  all  over  the  country,  and  the  Messrs.  Adams  had 
the  poor  consolation  of  knowing,  at  least,  that  there  were  hundreds 
no  better  off  than  themselves. 

In  course  of  time  the  holders  of  the  mortgage  sold  their  interest 
to  Josiah  Chapin  of  Providence,  together  with  an  insurance  policy 
for  $7,000.  Mr.  Chapin  in  turn  sold  to  AVarren  Hunt,  $7,000 
being  the  price  paid.  In  the  following  3-ear  the  factory  was  de- 
stro3'ed  b}'  fire,  and  the  insurance  was  paid  to  Mr.  Hunt,  just  the 
amount  the  whole  property  cost  him,  and  leaving  a  valuable  water 
privilege  and  land  which  cost  him  nothing.  He  received  an  addi- 
tional sum  of  $7,000  from  the  proprietors  of  the  Hill  faetorj'  for 


248  HISTORY   OP   DOUGLAS. 

the  privilege  of  raising  both  dams  two  feet.  Thus  it  will  be  seen 
that  his  clean  profit  by  the  transaction  was  $7,000,  and  still  he  was 
the  possessor  of  all  he  had  originally  purchased,  except  the  factory 
and  contents. 

When  the  Adams  mill  was  burned,  Rowland  G.  Hazard  of 
Peacedale,  R.  I.,  occupied  it,  and  was  engaged  in  the  manufacture 
of  satinets.  His  loss  included  the  entire  stock,  cloth  and  machin- 
ery. In  addition  to  the  mill  a  two-story  weaving  shop,  a  two- 
story  wood-house  and  a  blacksmith  shop  were  destro^^ed  b}'  the 
conflagration.  Another  building,  one  hundred  feet  long,  one  story 
high,  with  basement,  was  saved.  The  upper  part  was  used  for 
dr^'ing  wool,  and  the  basement  for  tentering  cloth.  This  building 
was  used  by  the  Douglas  Axe  Company  for  a  hatchet-forging  shop 
until  it  was  also  destroyed  by  fire,  together  with  the  building 
adjoining. 

ELLIS    BURT's    plow    MANUFACTORY. 

In  1824  Ellis  Burt  carried  on  the  business  of  manufacturing  the 
old-fashioned  wooden  plows  in  the  basement  of  the  brick  house 
opposite  the  hotel  in  East  Douglas.  This  was  about  the  time  cast- 
iron  plows  were  being  put  in  the  market  b}-  Mr.  Nourse  of  Wor- 
cester. 

EZEKiEL  Preston's  cotton  factory. 

In  the  year  1808  Col.  Ezekiel  Preston,  Welcome  Whipple, 
Henry  Holden,  Richard  Olne}^  Joseph  Metcalf,  Mr.  Holman, 
Benjamin  Wallis,  and  General  Martin,  from  Providence,  built  a 
factory  at  what  is  now  the  lower  portion  of  East  Douglas  village, 
on  the  site  now  occupied  by  the  large  stone  mill.  It  was  a  large 
wooden  building,  used  for  the  manufacture  of  cotton  3'arn,  and  a 
store  was  kept  in  the  basement.  After  the  building  was  finished 
it  was  known  as  the  "  Douglas  Factory."  At  first  the  work  was 
all  performed  in  families,  the  weaving  being  done  on  hand-looms, 
and  the  help  paid  in  3'arn.  The  business  was  carried  on  this  way 
during  one  summer,  when  hand-looms  were  introduced  at  the  fac- 
tor^',  and  men  were  employed  to  run  them.  The  mill  afterwards 
passed  into  the  hands  of  Ziba  Angell,  Avho  put  in  thirt^'-six  upright 
looms,  to  run  by  water-power,  and  other  machinery  necessary'  for 
the  production  of  cotton  goods.  The  bell  which  called  the  opera- 
tives to  work  was  cast  at  the  Holbrook  foundry  in  Medway,  and 


MANUFACTURES. 


249 


t)ears  the  date  of  1815.  Before  the  bell  was  procured  a  tin  horn 
was  used  instead,  the  watchman  standing  in  the  belfty  and  sound- 
ing a  blast  that  could  be  heard  a  very  long  distance.  The  factory 
was  standing  and  in  operation  until  about  the  year  1841,  when  it 
was  removed  to  make  room  for  the  present  structure.  The  small 
building  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  river,  known  as  the  '^  handle 
shop,"  was  built  for   a  machine-shop,  and  occupied  b}-  Nathan 


THE    MOSES    KNAPP    PLACE,    EAST    DOUGLAS. 

Sweatland  and  Ethan  Angell,  manufacturers  of  cotton  machiner}'. 
After  a  number  of  years  the  firm  was  dissolved,  and  Mr.  Sweatland 
•occupied  the  building  for  the  manufacture  of  cut  nails  for  Benjamin 
Cragin  &  Co.,  who  carried  them  weekly  to  Newton,  and  returned 
with  material  for  continued  production. 

In  1826-7  the  building  was  leased  by  J.  Adams  &  Co.  for  the 
manufacture  of  power  looms.  The  saw-mill  now  owned  by  George 
Wallis  was  then  owned  by  this  firm,  but  was  sold  about  this  time 
to  Amariah  Chapin  of  Uxbridge.  In  1841  the  large  stone  mill 
took  the  place  of  the  less  pretending  structure,  and  was  started 


260  HISTORY    OF    DOUGLAS. 

up  with  eighty  looms,  tlie  number  l)eing  afterwards  increased  to 
one  hundred  and  thirty-two.  Mr  (ieorge  Howe  of  Boston  was 
the  principal  owner.  J^ater  he  was  one  of  the  OAvners  of  the  I'ember- 
ton  mill  in  Lawrence,  and  when  it  fell,  a  few  years  ago,  he  narrowly 
escaped  with  his  life,  having  just  stepped  out  of  the  building  when 
the  teri-ible  disaster  occurred.  Moses  Knapp  was  the  Agent,  and 
from  the  authority  delegated  to  him  the  mill  was  generally  known, 
as  the  "  Knapp  Mill,"  although  he  claimed  no  ownership  in  it.. 
Fenner  Batcheller  became  Agent  in  place  of  Mr.  Knapp. 

THE    I.OVETT    MIL].. 

In  the  year  LSI 4  a  forge  was  standing  on  the  site  of  the  Doug- 
las Axe  Company's  machine-shop,  in  the  rear  of  their  office,  which 
was  owned  and  operated  b^'  a  man  named  AV'aters  of  Millbur}'. 
The  propert}-  afterwards  came  into  the  possession  of  Gale  &  Fare- 
well. The  building  was  of  good  size,  one  story  in  height,  but 
covered  considerable  surface,  in  which  all  kinds  of  iron  work,  such 
as  heavy  shafting  and  wrought-iron  mill  machinery,  was  carried 
on.  Mr.  Farewell  occupied  the  small  cottage  house  on  the  knoll, 
corner  of  Main  and  Cook  streets,  and  about  the  year  1820  Mr. 
Gale  erected  the  two-story  building  back  of  the  office. 

The  present  factor^'  was  built  in  1827  by  Paris  and  Micah  Hill, 
who  sold  it  to  the  Douglas  Manufacturing  Company. 

Mr.  Samuel  Lovett,  one  of  the  firm,  soon  after  disposed  of  his 
interest  in  the  Howe  Factory  and  became  sole  owner  in  the  Lovett 
mill,  continuing  in  business  until  184'J,  when  Warren  Hunt  pur- 
chased the  establishment  for  the  Douglas  Axe  Manufacturing  Co. 
Most  of  the  time  when  in  operation  J.  B.  Whipple  was  the  Agent. 

southworth's  grist-mill. 

Formerl}-  a  grist-mill  was  standing  near  Southwiek's  wheel- 
wright shop,  which  was  owned  by  Stephen  Southworth.  It  re- 
mained there  until  about  1814,  when  it  disappeared. 

carpenter's  tannery. 

For  man}^  years  there  was  a  tannery  at  Centerville,  built  by 
Edmund  Carpenter,  Jr.,  who  carried  on  the  business  several  j'ears. 
He  was  succeeded  by  his  son  Nathaniel,  whose   death   occurred 


MANUFACTURES.  251 

but  a  few  mouths  afterwards,  and  the  business  was  again  taken 
by  his  father,  and  continued  by  him  until  1836,  when  tlie  buildings 
were  torn  down. 

carpenter's  shoe  factory. 

The  shoe  business  was  carried  on  by  Comfort  and  Selja  Carpen- 
ter at  Centerville  prior  to  1837,  when  they  commenced  the  man- 
ufacture of  sale  work,  continuing  until  1854,  emplo3'ing  .  about 
sixty  workmen.  In  1856  the  building  was  taken  down,  and  the 
frame  removed  to  East  Douglas,  when  it  was  remodeled  into  a 
dweUing-house,  which  is  now  owned  by  Mr.  Nelson  Jones. 


CHAPTER     XVII. 


AXE    MANUFACTUKING, 


ANUFACTURING  edge  tools,  and 
axes  in  particular,  has  long  been  a 
distinguishing  feature  of  manufactur- 
ing industr}'  in  Douglas.  It  has  not 
onl^'  drawn  hither  some  of  the  best 
practical  mechanicians  of  the  day,  but 
it  has  furnished  the  most  uninter- 
rupted emploj'ment  to  a  large  num- 
ber of  people,  the  steadilj^  advanc- 
ing popularity  of  the  axes  made  by 
the  Douglas  Axe  Manufacturing  Co.  keeping  their  extensive  works 
in  full  operation  often  when  similar  establishments  in  different 
parts  of  the  countiy  have  been  compelled  to  either  shut  down  or 
to  run  on  short  time.  It  has  come  to  be  well  understood  that  the 
production  of  axes  is  intermitted  onl}^  when  the  annual  taking 
account  of  stock  necessitates  a  stoppage,  and  then  onlj'  for  the 
briefest  possible  interval.  Nearly  all  the  available  water-power 
within  the  limits  of  the  town  is  utiUzed  by  the  many  wheels  driv- 
ing the  machinery  of  this  establishment.  A  large  capital  is  of 
course  required  in  the  management  of  a  business  which  has  gained 
-such  renown,  the  demand  for  their  tools  reaching  quite  to  the  limits 
of  civilization. 

Like  nearly  all  similar  projects,  axe-making  had  an  obscure 
and  humble  origin.  About  the  year  1798  Joseph  and  OUver  Hunt 
built  a  small  wooden  shop  on  the  site  of  the  old  axe  shop  lately 
•demolished  on  Main  street  in  East  Douglas  in  which  the}^  carried 
on  the  general  custom  blacksmithing  business.  The  old  shop 
stood  near  the  present  residence  of  Rev.  William  T.  Briggs.  It 
would  happen,  as  a  mere  matter  of  course,  that  among  the  miscel- 


AXE   MANUFACTURING. 


25g. 


laneous   work   done   at  such  an  establishment   a   damaged   axe 
would  now  and  then  be  brought  for  reparation.     Occasionally  one- 
of  these  indispensable  implements  to  the  farmer  would  need  re- 
modeling, a  job   which   the    Hunt   brothers    did  not  hesitate  to- 
undertake,  and  which  the}-  accomplished  so  successfully,  making 
the  renewed  axe  better  than  when  bought,  that  their  work  in  this 
line  gradually  grew  on  their  hands  ;  and  it  was  not  long  before  axes 
of  their  own  make  became  so  popular  as  to  require  almost  their  sole- 
attention  to  meet  the  demand  for  them. 

After   a   few   years,    during   which   the  quality  of  their  tools, 
secured  for  them  gi-eat  public  favor,  a  second  establishment  for- 


MODERN    AXE. 


OLD  AXE  MADE  IN  1825. 


their  production  was  thought  to  be  needed,  and  accordingly  a  new 
shop  was  built  at  the  Center,  with  Ohver  Hunt  to  manage  it,  Jo- 
seph remaining  in  the  business  at  the  old  one.  But  the  condition 
of  the  business  was  not  quite  equal  to  the  capacity  furnished  by 
the  two  shops,  and  as  a  result,  after  a  hard  struggle  against  finan- 
cial difficulties,  the  proprietors  failed.  Arrangements  were  made, 
however,  whereby  Joseph  retained  the  old  shop  at  East  Douglas, 
and  OKver  went  to  work  for  David  Dudley,  forging  axes  in  the . 
shop  which  the  firm  had  lately  owned.  Lindley  &  Morse  then 
carried  on  the  business  for  a  while,  and  were  succeeded  by  David 
Philipps.     In  1814  a  new  partnership  was  formed  by  the  indefati- 


254  HISTORY    OP   DOUGLAS. 

gable  brothers,  but  it  continued  only  for  a  short  time,  the  property 
on  this  failure  passing  into  the  hands  of  Job  Knapp  and  Jesse 
Baleome,  but  it  was  shortl}'  purchased  by  Oliver  Hunt,  whose  two 
sons,  Warren  and  Otis,  were  soon  at  work  again  in  the  old  shop 
with  him,  the  sound  of  their  hammers  being  heard  early  and  late, 
iind  the  business  soon  taking  on  a  new  degree  of  prosperity.  A 
few  axes,  among  the  first  that  they  made,  were  taken  to  Provi- 
dence, but  they  failed  to  find  a  sale.  Mr.  Benjamin  Cragin  then 
tried  the  Boston  market,  where  the  reputation  of  the  Hunt  tools  had 
probabl}'  come  to  be  better  known,  and  through  those  extensive 
hardware  merchants  of  that  day,  Messrs.  Charles  Scudder  and  W.  T. 
Eustis,  they  found  read}'  purchasers,  and  from  this  time  it  rapidly 
came  to  be  true  that  neither  the  makers  nor  venders  of  these  axes 
found  them  a  drug  either  in  the  general  business  houses  or  at  the 
retail  stores  in  the  rural  districts.  Indeed,  one  of  the  chief  diffi- 
culties which  had  to  be  encountered,  and  which  was  quite  inevi- 
table in  the  then  sparsely-settled  state  of  the  country,  was  the  lack 
of  ready  transportation,  not  to  say  anything  about  its  promptness. 
A  forty -mile  trip,  over  rude  and  rough  highway's,  with  only  a  half 
ton  even  of  freight,  was  a  very  different  thing  from  such  a  venture 
to-da}'.  All  their  tools  must  be  got  to  market  often  by  ox-teams, 
and  the  raw  material  procured  in  the  same  manner.  Mr.  Asa 
Thayer  relates  that  when  he  was  about  seventeen  3^ears  of  age  he 
and  Warren  Hunt  drove  a  span  of  horses  to  Boston  with  a  load 
of  hatchets.  The}^  were  all  night  making  the  journey,  arriving  in 
town  at  daylight.  As  they  passed  along  Beacon  street  numerous 
purchasers  were  found,  and  after  considerably  reducing  the  load 
the  balance  was  disposed  of  to  a  merchant  in  Dock  Square.  The}'- 
arrived  home  in  season  to  take  part  in  a  grand  muster  which  oc- 
curred on  the  following  day,  and  which  probably  full}'  explained 
the  dispatch  characterizing  this  possibly  first  express  trip. 

Mr.  Cragin's  success  in  selling  axes  led  to  an  arrangement 
whereby  he  was  to  dispose  of  all  that  could  be  manufactured,  and 
to  furnish  the  iron  and  steel  —  an  arrangement  which  was  found 
to  be  profitable  to  all  parties,  and  served  greatly  to  increase  the 
business.  As  often  as  once  a  week  he  carried  a  load  of  axes  to 
Boston,  and  invariably  found  for  them  a  ready  market. 

An  increase  of  business  necessitated  an  increase  of  room  and 
power,  and  consequently  a  new  shop  was  built,  which  was  used 


UPPER    WORKS. 


HOWE     FACTORY. 


GILBOA. 


WORKS   OF   THE   DOUGLAS   AXE   MANUFACTURING  COMPANY, 


266  HISTORY    OF    DOUGLAS. 

for  forging  and  grinding.  Tliis  building  is  now  standing  near  the 
site  of  the  original  shop,  and  is  used  for  an  ice-house.  About  the 
3'ear  1823  the  old  shop  on  Main  street  was  destroj^ed  bj^  fire,  and 
another  was  erected  in  its  place.  After  man}'  jears  of  service 
this  was  torn  down  to  make  way  for  important  improvements  on 
Main  street. 

The  first  axe  stamp  was  made  with  two  cold  chisels,  one  of 
them  straight  and  tlie  other  round.  The  round  one  was  made  by 
punching  a  hole  in  the  end  of  a  piece  of  round  steel,  and  thea 
filing  the  circle  to  an  edge.  With  these  tools  the  marks  made 
upon  the  axes  were  about  as  follows,  which  were  supposed  to 
stand  for  "  Joseph  &  Oliver  Hunt"  :  — 

I  O  H 

The  improvements  made  in  stamps  are  no  less  conspicuous  than 
those  which  pervade  all  other  departments  of  the  works.  Instead 
of  using  cold  chisels,  clean  and  S3'mmetrical  inscriptions  are  now 
cut  by  skilled  workmen  upon  steel,  which  is  afterwards  hardened, 
and  these  impressions  are  left  upon  the  axes  in  well-defined  letters, 
giving  all  necessar}'  information  in  regard  to  the  manufacturers, 
etc.  Much  of  the  labor  then  performed  b3-  hand  is  now  accom- 
plished b}-  the  introduction  of  valuable  maehiner}-,  some  of  which 
was  invented  by  men  employed  by  the  compau}^,  and  used  in  no- 
other  manufactor}'.  One  of  the  most  important  of  these  machines 
is  called  the  "  rolls,"  which  was  invented  b}^  Mr.  Charles  Hutch- 
ins,  and  the  patent  right  is  now  held  by  the  Company. 

Warren  Hunt  took  the  management  of  affairs  into  his  own 
hands  when  about  eighteen  years  of  age.  The  first  men  employed 
by  him  were  Charles  Parish  and  George  Re^-nolds,  who  worked  in 
the  upper  shop,  making  cast-steel  axes.  Previous  to  that  time  the 
axe-bits  were  made  of  "blister  steel,"  welded  on  the  pattern  in- 
stead of  set  into  it,  as  now.  Mr.  Hunt  immediately  commenced 
enlarging  the  works,  and  built  the  "brick  shop"  on  the  side  of 
Legg's  fulling-mill  that  had  been  carried  away  by  a  freshet.  This 
building  was  used  for  drawing  patterns,  grinding,  polishing,  black- 
ing, handling,  etc.  ;  and  all  the  boxes  for  packing  were  made  here 
besides.  Then  the  stone  factory  was  built,  on  the  opposite  side 
of  the  river,  and  the  grinding,  polishing,  and  a  part  of  the  forging^ 
was  removed  to  it.     Solid  ' '  blind-eyed "  hatchets  were  forged 


T-OVF.TT    WORKS. 


HEAD    AND    BIT    FORGING    SHOPS. 


WORKS    OF   THE    DOUGLAS    AXE    MANUFACTURING    COMPANY. 
17 


258  HISTORY    OF    DOUGLAS. 

here,  the  eyes  being  drilled  out  liy  Aaron  M.  Hill.     The  drilling- 
machine  used  for  this  purpose  was  an  invention  of  Ciillen  Whipple. 

The  old  hatclu't  slioj)  was  originally  a  barn,  and  was  used  for 
a  forge  shop.  The  tempering  shop  was  built  afterwards,  and  ad- 
ditions were  made  to  each.  The  shop  next  to  the  road  was  built 
about  1855.  These  were  all  burned  by  an  incendiarj-  fire  in  Octo- 
ber, 1875,  and  more  commodious  sliops  were  immediately  rebuilt 
on  the  site  of  the  old  ones. 

About  the  year  1832  a  partnership  was  formed  between  Warren 
Hunt  and  Capt.  Alexander  Scudder.  Captain  Scndder  was  a 
man  of  considerable  means,  having  followed  the  seas  for  the 
greater  part  of  his  life.  His  brother  {Mr.  Charles  Scudder  of 
Boston),  wishing  to  induce  him  to  give  up  that  mode  of  life,  and 
knowing  that  Warren  Hunt  was  in  need  of  more  capital  for  his 
increasing  bnsiuess,  ftnally  persuaded  the  Captain  to  settle  down 
and  engage  with  Mr.  Hunt  in  axe  manufacturing.  For  nearh' 
three  years  a  flourishing  business  was  carried  on,  dnring  which 
time  Captain  Scudder  built  as  a  residence  the  house  now  owned 
by  Mr.  Edwin  Moore.  Although  comfortabl}'  situated  and  pros- 
porous  in  business,  he  was  not  satisfied.  His  longing  for  a  sea- 
faring life  grew  upon  him,  and  at  last  became  so  strong  that  he 
could  resist  it  no  longer.  He  decided  to  weigh  anchor,  and  sold 
out  his  interest  to  Mr.  Hunt,  who  remained  sole  proprietor  until 
1835,  when  a  stock  company  was  formed,  under  the  name  of  the 
"  Douglas  Axe  Manufacturing  Co.,"  of  which  William  T.  Eustis 
was  President  (with  the  exception  of  two  years,  when  Mr.  Rogers 
filled  the  office,)  till  his  death,  which  occurred  May  5th,  1874.  L. 
W.  Swett,  Esq.,  was  his  successor.  The  present  board  of  officers 
consists  of  A.  T.  Perkins,  Esq.,  President;  D.  D.  Dana,  Treas- 
urer; E.  Moore,  Agent. 

Tlio  following  men  were  among  those  employed  in  axe-making 
prior  to  the  incorporation  of  the  Axe  Compaiiy.  many  of  whom  are 
now  living,  and  their  names  will  l)e  at  once  recognized  by  our 
older  residents  :  Otis  Hunt,  Oliver  Hunt.  Anderson  Hunt,  Joseph 
Hunt,  George  Reynolds,  Jonathan  Sprague,  C!aleb  Legg,  Solon 
Tupper,  John  B.  Hunt,  EstusBalcome,  Frank  Marcy,  Gird  Marcy, 
Thomas  Dimsy,  Michael  Herral,  Benjamin  Smith,  George  Wade, 
Murray  Lovett,  Luther  Stone,  and  William  Hemenwa3\ 


MEDALS  AWARDED  TO  DOUGLAS  AXE   MANUFACTURING   COMPANY. 


THE    WORLD'S  FAIR,   LONDON,   MEDAL,  1863. 


THE   VIENNA  EXPOSITION   MEDAL,  1863. 


262  HISTORY   OF   DOUGLAS. 

The  year  1847  was  a  severe  one  for  manufacturing  interests 
generall}',  and  the  Company  decided  to  allow  Warren  Hunt  to  take 
the  business  into  his  own  hands,  they  furnishing  the  stock  and 
making  an  arrangement  with  him  in  regard  to  a  percentage  on 
sales.  But  the  market  for  axes  unexpectedly  revived,  so  that  the 
works  were  taxed  to  their  utmost  capacity  to  supply  the  demand. 
The  result  was  that  at  the  end  of  the  year  Mr.  Hunt's  net  profits 
amounted  to  about  $10,000.  In  view  of  these  encouraging  pros- 
pects the  Compan}^  decided  to  resume  the  business  permanently, 
and  enlarged  their  works,  as  business  increased,  until  they  have 
reached  the  present  proportions. 

The  principal  portion  of  the  Company's  works  at  that  time  were 
located  at  Gilboa,  which  were  originally  owned  by  O.  Hunt  & 
Brothers  and  used  for  the  manufacture  of  scythes.  The  Axe  cor- 
poration leased  them  for  the  manufacture  of  axes  until  the  time 
when  they  acquired  possession  of  them  by  purchase,  which  was  in 
1854. 

For  some  years  subsequent  to  the  time  when  the  shops  were 
built  there  was  no  public  road  leading  from  East  Douglas  \'illage 
to  Gilboa,  and  the  water  for  driving  the  machiner}-  was  supplied 
by  means  of  a  trench.  In  severel}^  cold  weather  the  water  in  this 
trench  would  become  so  clogged  by  the  ice  that  the  shops  would 
be  obliged  to  suspend  work  in  consequence.  This  came  at  length 
to  be  a  source  of  so  much  trouble  that  various  experiments  were 
tried  for  its  abatement.  One  of  these  was  to  sink  a  number  of 
junk  bottles  through  holes  cut  into  the  ice,  first  filling  them  with 
powder,  and  then  exploding  them  by  the  aid  of  a  fuse.  This  suc- 
ceeded, so  far  as  shattering  the  ice  was  concerned,  but  the  cold 
quickly  congealed  the  mass  of  broken  ice  into  a  worse  condition 
than  before,  and  the  experiment  had  to  be  abandoned.  It  was 
finally  seen  that  the  onlj'  effectual  plan  was  to  purchase  and  flow 
the  "  Knapp  Interval,"  so-called,  which  not  only  broke  up  the 
troublesome  ice  embargo,  but  also  furnished  a  more  reliable  supply 
of  water  for  driving  the  machinery'. 

In  the  old  shop,  which  is  now  standing  below  the  trench,  Mr. 
Ephraim  K.  Copeland  drew  the  steel  for  the  axe   "bits."     The 
trip-hammers  then  in  use  were  called  "jumpers,"  and  have  since 
gone  out  of  date.     A  pair  of  heavy  shears  for  cutting  the  bars  of 
iron  stood  in  a  building  which  is  now  used  as  a  shed,  west  of  the 


OLD    RED   SHOP,    COTTAGE   STREET,    1878. 


FARM   BUILDINGS   OF   DOUGLAS   AXE   MANUFACTURING   CO.,    EAST    DOLGLAS. 


264  HISTORY   OF. DOUGLAS. 

stone  shop.  The  rolls,  invented  b}-  Mr.  Charles  Hutchins,  were 
set  up  by  him,  assisted  by  Mr.  Dexter  Whipple,  in  the  low  stone 
shop.  They  were  started  in  1842  by  Mr.  Whipple,  who  has  con- 
tijiued  to  run  them  ever  since.  After  removing  them  from  the 
stone  shoj)  to  the  one  built  of  wood,  near  the  road,  they  were 
again  removed  (in  1854)  to  the  new  shops  then  just  completed  at 
East  Douglas.  Another  set  of  rolls  was  started  at  the  same  time, 
and  have  since  been  run  by  Mr.  McDonoiigh  Whipple. 

In  1858  the  Company  commenced  the  manufacture  of  Spanish 
machets,  cane-knives,  etc.,  at  Gilboa,  and  more  than  one  hun- 
dred nnd  fifty  patterns  of  these  tools  have  been  made.  During 
the  War  (in  1862  and  '63)  swords  and  sabre  bayonets  were  manu- 
factured. The  knife  business  continued  until  1869.  Axe-forging 
and  grinding,  however,  has  been  carried  on  there  uninterruptedly 
since  the  manufacture  of  scythes  was  discontinued,  and  at  present 
the  works  are  used  for  forging  picks,  mattocks,  bench  axes  and 
adzes,  grinding  all  these  tools,  and  for  repairing  machiner}'. 

The  Lovett  mill  was  purchased  by  the  Company'  in  1854,  at  the 
same  time  of  the  purchase  of  the  premises  at  Gilboa  ;  and  the 
Howe  factory  was  bought  in  1864,  both  these  establishments  being 
converted  into  axe  shops  at  the  time  of  changing  owners,  and  ad- 
ditions made  to  them  as  required.  In  the  summer  of  1869  the 
upper  new  shops  were  enlarged,  two  additional  shops  being  con- 
structed, one  40x40,  in  size,  and  the  other  40x60,  by  which  the 
facilities  for  manufacturing  were  increased  about  one-third. 

thaver's  gkist  and  saw-mill. 

The  mill  now  owned  b}-  A.  J.  Thayer  was  built  by  Moses 
Knapp,  Esq.,  about  the  year  1853,  and  was  known  as  "  Knapp's 
Mill"  until  1872,  when  Mr.  Thayer  became  its  proprietor.  At 
that  time  it  consisted  of  a  circular  saw-mill  and  grist-mill,  with 
but  one  run  of  granite  stones,  which  were  driven  by  a  breast- 
wheel  of  the  rudest  construction.  About  a  year  from  that  date 
the  old  machinery  was  removed,  to  make  way  for  one  of  the  Lane 
Improved  saw-mills.  In  1878  the  buildings  were  greatly  enlarged, 
and  the  grist-mill  facilities  more  than  doubled  by  the  introduction 
of  one  of  Lane's  Monitor  turbine  wheels  of  forty-horse  power. 
The  mill  has  now  two  run  of  French  burr  stones,  two  elevators 
and  a  corn  cracker,  and  furnishes  storage  room  for  six  thousand 


AXE   MANUFACTURING.  265 

bushels  of  corn,  sixteen  hundred  bushels  of  oats,  one  car-load  of 
shorts,  and  has  considerable  storage  capacity  outside  of  the  mill 
itself. 

logee's  carriage  makufactory. 

The  building  owned  by  S.  Logee,  and  previously  occupied  for 
about  twenty  3'ears  by  Mr.  Logee  as  a  country  blacksmithery,  Mr. 
Gleason's  wheelwright-shop  and  Luke  S.  Keith's  paint  shop,  was 
destroyed  by  fire  Nov.  16,  1870,  but  was  immediately  rebuilt  by 
Mr.  Logee,  w^ho  continued  the  blacksmith  and  wheelwright  busi- 
ness, W.  C.  Brown  run  the  shoeing  department,  Hugh  Greene  the 
harness-making  business,  and  E.  Burgess,  Amasa  Buffington,  A. 
N.  Bridges  and  Adelburt  Hamar  successively  occupied  the  paint- 
ers' premises.  Mr.  Logee  in  1877  added  to  his  facilities  a  ten- 
horse-power  engine,  together  with  a  band  and  circular  saw  and 
lathe. 

wellman's  grist-mill. 

During  the  winter  of  1877-78  the  steam  grist-mill  owned  and 
run  hy  William  H.  Wellman  was  built.  It  is  favorably  situated 
near  the  depot,  on  the  line  of  the  New  York  and  New  England 
railroad,  from  whose  cars  the  grain  is  unloaded  direct.  The  mill 
is  capable  of  storing  sixty  tons  of  grain,  and  has  one  run  of  Frencb 
burr  stones,  which  is  driven  b}'  an  eigh teen-horse-power  engine. 

the    lee    &    MURDOCK    SHODDY-MILL. 

In  1863  the  large  wooden  factory  now  occupied  by  Lee  & 
Murdock  was  erected  by  Dea.  Warren  Hunt,  near  the  old  Eagle 
grist-mill,  the  Mumford  river  furnishing  water-power  for  fift}'- 
eight  looms.  It  was  used  bj^  him  for  the  manufacture  of  cotton 
goods  for  nearly  a  j'ear,  when  it  lay  idle  until  1867.  The  property 
then  passed  into  the  hands  of  Nelson  Williams,  who  at  that  time 
operated  the  Eagle  grist-mill  near  b}'.  On  the  oOth  of  Septem- 
ber, 1869,  the  mill,  land  and  machinerj'  was  sold  at  public  auctioa 
to  C.  P.  Whitin,  for  814,700.  A.  F.  Jones  bought  thirteen  of  the 
looms  for  $1,375.  In  1870  a  portion  of  the  Eagle  grist-mill  wa& 
rented  to  Lee  &  Whittemore,  who  manufactured  shodd}'  for  about 
a  year,  when  they  went  into  bankruptc}'.  The  whole  estate  was 
soon  purchased  b}^  Moses  Taft  of  Uxbridge,  and  others,  and  a 


266  HISTORy  OF  douglas. 

copartnership  was  formed  between  D.  M.  Lee  of  East  Douglas, 
and  L.  H.  Murdock  of  Uxbridge,  who  leased  the  entire  estate 
and  commenced  the  manufacture  of  shoddy,  under  the  style  of  Lee 
&  Murdock.  They  have  since  increased  their  facilities  from  time 
to  time,  and  at  the  present  time  are  doing  an  extensive  business. 

In  1874  they  erected  a  brick  fire-proof  picker  house,  60x31  in 
size,  and  a  two-story  engine-house  in  1875,  into  which  they  put 
an  eight3'-horse-power  engine  built  by  Corliss. 

They  have  now  eighteen  cards  and  six  pickers  in  operation. 
Their  work  is  all  done  under  contract  for  other  parties,  and  they 
have  the  reputation  of  manufacturing  as  good  all-wool  shoddies  as 
any  firm  in  New  England,  their  goods  being  used  in  the  finest 
textile  fabrics,  and  the  quality  and  staple  being  nearl}^  equal  to 
wool.  On  the  1st  of  April,  1878,  a  stock  companj^  was  incorpor- 
ated, with  a  capital  of  150,000,  the  real  estate  consisting  of  the 
mill,  the  water-power,  and  the  Preston  House,  transferred  to  them. 
Lee  &  Murdock  still  continue  the  business. 

mechanics'  block 

is  a  building  28x80  feet  in  size,  two  stories  high,  and  situated  on 
the  south  side  of  Main  street,  in  the  rear  of  the  Methodist  church. 
This  block  was  erected  in  1871  by  Messrs.  Luke  S.  Keith,  Joseph 
Bowen,  George  A.  Gleason  and  W.  W.  Brown.  Being  unable  to 
lease  suitable  workshops  for  their  increasing  business,  and  being 
dependent  upon  each  other  in  their  business  relations,  they  formed 
themselves  into  a  copartnership  on  the  9th  of  June  in  that  year, 
under  the  name  of  the  "  Mechanics'  Association,"  for  the  purpose 
of  erecting  a  building  in  which  they  might  conduct  their  business 
more  successfully. 

The  building  is  occupied  by  a  wheelwright  and  undertaker's 
shop  on  the  first  floor,  and  for  sign-painting,  carriage-painting  and 
trimming  and  harness-making  above.  The  land  which  it  occupies 
was  purchased  of  the  Trustees  of  the  Methodist  church.  To 
accommodate  the  carriage  business  more  completely,  a  piece  of 
land  was  presented  by  the  Association  to  Mr.  Sypline  Rivers,  upon 
which  he  erected  a  blacksmith  shop,  38x40  feet,  which  was  also 
completed  in  1871,  providing  facilities  for  a  complete  harness  and 
carriage  manufactory,  and  also  one  for  the  manufacture  and  repair- 


AXE   MANUFACTURING.  267 

ing  of  furniture,  not  omitting  a  nuich-neoded  equipment  with  steam 
power  b}-  two  of  tlie  parties  in  the  building,  tluis  malving  it  a  first- 
class  establishment  of  its  kind. 

The  parties  now  occupying  the  building  are  the  following : 
George  A.  Gleason,  wheelwright  shop,  furnished  with  a  twelve- 
horse-power  engine,  and  a  circular-saw  for  heavy  work ;  Joseph 
Brown,  undertaker's  shop  and  cabinet  factory,  and  repair  shop, 
with  a  two-horse-power  engine,  circular  saw,  lathe,  and  band  and 
jig-sawing  machinery;  L.  S.  Keith,  carriage  and  sign-painter; 
Willard  Whipple,  successor  to  W.  W.  Brown  in  the  harness  shop  ; 
Sypline  Rivers,  horse-shoeing  and  general  blacksmithing. 

EAGLE    GRIST-MILL. 

There  is  now  no  means  of  determining  when  the  original  Eagle 
grist-mill  was  built.  It  was  standing  long  before  the  old  forge 
was  built,  and  was  then  in  so  dilapidated  a  condition  that  it  seemed 
as  though  it  might  tumble  down  at  any  time.  The  second  one 
was  erected  in  its  place  about  the  year  1795,  at  which  time  a  new 
dam  was  built.  It  came  into  the  possession  of  Colonel  Preston 
about  1800,  through  his  wife's  father,  Timothy  Taft,  who  owned 
■and  run  it  for  many  j'^ears  before,  and  continued  to  run  it  till  1827, 
the  time  of  his  death.  It  was  then  carried  on  by  Dorris  Willard 
and  Frank  Taft  until  the  death  of  Mrs.  Preston  in  1838,  when  it 
passed  into  their  hands,  they  being  heirs  of  Colonel  Preston. 

Willard  Taft  built  the  present  mill,  using  therefor  a  portion  of 
the  old  timber,  and  putting  in  an  iron  wheel.  The  mill  was  run 
by  Frank  Taft  and  Justin  Whipple,  who  manufactured  plow  beams 
and  handles  for  about  a  year.  It  finall}^  came  into  the  hands  of 
Deacon  Hunt,  who  built  a  new  mill,  and  added  to  the  regular  bus- 
iness that  of  grinding  bones  and  plaster. 


CHAPTER     XVIII 


DESCRIPTION     OF     THE    WORKS     OF    THE    DOUGLAS    AXE     MANUFACTUR- 
ING   COMPANY. 

HAT  an  enterprise  so  apparently  unpromising  at 
the  start  as  was  that  of  axe-making  in  Douglas  a 
half  century  ago  should  attain  so  prominent  a 
rank,  and  also  a  celebrity  so  nearly  world-wide  in 
that  interval,  is  rare  indeed.  Nevertheless,  so  it 
las  come  to  pass  ;  and  the  intrinsic  interest  involved  in  this  fact 
would  seem  of  itself  to  render  desirable  a  general  description  of  a 
branch  of  purely  American  industiy  so  judiciously  managed  as  has 
been  the  fact  with  this,  and  also  as  much  as  practicable  of  its  de- 
tails. The  following  slip  shows  the  reputation  acquired  abroad 
for  this  Company's  productions  :  — 

"  Schliemann  labored  long  with  Mr.  Gladstone  before  the  latter 
would  commit  himself  to  the  delicate  task  of  writing  a  preface  for 
'  Mj'cenoe,'  but  a  firm  at  Sheffield,  England,  which  is  making 
American  axes,  was  more  fortunate.  In  a  critical  review  of  this 
useful  implement  the  ex-premier  saj^s  :  '  I  am  very  glad  you  have 
added  that  useful  article,  the  American  axe,  to  the  list  of  our 
home  productions  ;  and  I  thank  you  for  favoring  me  with  a  speci- 
men which  seems,  on  as  much  trial  as  I  have  made,  to  possess  all 
the  merits  of  the  original.  I  find  it  necessary  to  stud}^  efficiency 
in  proportion  and  weight,  and  it  is  under  this  issue  that  I  think 
the  American  axe  comes  out  well,  especially  for  soft  or  free- 
grained  woods.  The  handle  is,  I  think,  excellent ;  but  I  always 
wish  it  were  cut  straight  across  at  the  end,  at  a  right  angle  to  its 
direction  or  axis.' " 

The  capital  required  to  conduct  the  business  of  the  Douglas 
Axe  Manufacturing  Company  amounts  to  $400,000.  This  is  in- 
vested mainly  in  the  large  number  of  buildings  and  mechanical 


i ffUNT'S  i    . 

I  SUPERIOR  AXES  f2 

iBtSTRHI«DCASTSIlEl|p 


D  E 

PATTERNS   OF   AXES   MADE   BY  THE   DOUGLAS   AXE   MANUFACTURING    CO. 
A  Ohio,  U  Yankee  Bevel,  C  Double  Bit,  D  Michigan,  E  Kentucky. 


270  HISTORY    OF    DOUGLAS. 

appliances  which  extend  for  a  full  mile  along  the  banks  of  the 
Mumford  river,  in  the  central  portion  of  the  village  of  East 
Douglas. 

The  departments  into  which  axe-making  naturall^^  divides  itself 
are  four,  each  of  which  requires  separate  buildings  more  or  less 
in  extent  and  number.  The  most  di^'ersified  of  these  departments 
is  that  in  which  the  forging  of  the  axes  is  done,  which  also  gives 
employment  to  the  largest  number  of  Avorkmen  ;  then  comes  that 
in  which  the  grinding  is  performed,  four  different  processes  being 
necessary  in  this  stage  of  the  work  ;  next  the  tempering  of  the 
axe  is  attended  to,  and  the  polishing  and  grading  of  the  tools 
come  in  as  a  finality. 

For  the  accomplishment  of  all  these  features  of  the  business,  of 
which  the  above  is  merel}^  an  outline,  no  small  amount  of  motive 
power  must  of  course  be  provided.  This  the  unpretentious  stream 
flanking  the  various  laboratories  happily  supplies,  through  the  nu- 
merous water-wheels  with  which  they  are  equipped.  In  case  this 
reliance  should  ever  fail,  however,  a  powerful  steam-engine  is  qui- 
etly awaiting  the  summons  to  dut}'^  as  a  substitute  in  operating  the 
multitude  of  trip-haiumers,  ponderous  grindstones,  and  emei'y- 
wheels  of  all  dimensions. 

The  amount  of  iron  requisite  for  the  average  annual  production 
of  the  establishment  reaches  twelve  hundred  tons,  into  which  over 
three  hundred  tons  of  cast-steel  are  incorporated.  The  item  of 
coal  yearly  consumed  foots  up  twentj^-five  hundred  tons ;  the 
quantit}'  of  grindstones  used  up  in  the  same  time  amounts  to- 
twelve  hundred  tons,  full  $100  worth  being  ground  away  during 
every  working  day  ;  nearly*  $30,000  worth  of  axe  and  hatchet 
handles  is  required  per  year ;  and  the  monthly  pa3'-roll  averagea 
$13,000. 

With  this  general  profile  of  what  is  requisite  for  the  manufac- 
ture of  axes,  let  us  now  turn  our  attention  to  a  few  of  the  princi- 
pal details  involved,  tracing  the  process  from  the  long,  rough  bar» 
of  iron  at  the  doors  of  Shop  No.  1  to  the  tastefully-finished  imple- 
ment awaiting  our  inspection  in  the  packing-room. 

Powerful  shears  first  cut  up  the  iron  bars  into  "  blanks  "  of  about 
six  inches  in  length.  A  furnace  receives  these  till  they  are  brought 
to  a  red  heat,  when  they  are  run  through  a  set  of  rolls,  which 
gives  to  the  lurid  metal  the  tolerable  appearance  of  the  head  and 


AXE    MANUFACTURING. 


271 


about  half  of  the  blade  of  an  axe.  A  little  further  on,  after  a  some- 
what lengthy  series  of  hand  and  trip-hammer  manipulations,  the 
embryo  axe  is  completed  in  form  by  having  added  to  it  nearly  a 
pound  of  the  best  of  steel  for  the  blade,  wliieh  is  so  imbedded  in 
the  bitt  of  the  tool,  by  carefid  welding  and  repeated  hammering, 
as  to   insure  a   good    cutting  edge  for  years  of  hard  usage  and 

grinding.  There  may  be  man}-  brands  of 
axes  in  the  mai'ket  that  can  show  a  greater 
spread  of  steel  07i  the  surface  of  the  blade, 
but  the  aim  of  the  Douglas  Company  is  to 
produce  one  whose  cutting  quality  is  re- 
tained as  long  as  there  is  enough  of  the  im- 
plement left  to  be  called  an  axe.  The 
numerous  trip-hammerings  as  well  as  hand 
beatings  through  which  the  tool  passes  is 
quite  as  much  for  the  purpose  of  securing 
the  utmost  scientific  form  and  s^-mmetry 
as  to  give  it  complete  solidit}-,  since  the 
shape  of  the  tool,  as  regards  the  face, 
edge  and  sides,  has  more  to  do  with  its 
efficiency  in  cutting  than  a  cursory  thought 
would  suggest. 

And  when,  at  length,  the  tool  drops 
from  the  tongs  of  the  last  in  the  list  of 
forgers,  it  is  ready  for  the  next  stage,  that 
is,  unless  the  inspector  in  his  inexorable 
round  of  dutj'  should  chance  to  condemn 
it  as  not  being  up  to  standard,  either  in 
shape,  welding  or  forging.  In  this  case 
it  goes  directly  back  to  the  unwary  man 
THE  DOUGLAS  ^t  whosc  door  the  fault  lies,  since  every 
AXE  BIT.  finisher's  stamp  tells  instantl}'  who  is  to 
blame.  The  visitor  can  hardly  fail  to  be  struck  with  the  fact  that 
this  is  no  place  for  a  bungler.  He  would  be  kept  so  constantly 
at  the  profitless  task  of  reconstruction  that  he  could  not  stand  it, 
an}-  more  than  the  Compan}'  could  afford  him  shop-room  or  mate- 
rials for  such  a  costly  experimentation. 

The  formative  stage  is  now  complete,  and  the  grinders  next 
have  charge  of  the  axe.     It  may  startle  the  reader  somewhat  to 


OVERCOAT 

STEEL. 


272  HISTORY   OF   DOUGLAS. 

"be  told  that  among  all  the  men  employed  in  this  division  of  the 
establishment  not  one  can  be  enrolled  on  any  life  insurance  com- 
pany's books.  But  nevertheless  such  is  the  case,  so  perilous  to  an 
average  length  of  life  is  the  grinder's  task.  The  huge  and  rapidly- 
whirling  stones  over  which  the}^  bend  in  their  daily  toil  not  only 
wear  awa}^  the  hard  metal  from  the  axe,  but  the  almost  impalpable 
dust  developed  in  the  process,  both  fi'om  the  iron  and  the  stone,  so 
pervades  the  room  that  its  inhalation  with  almost  every  breath  is 
inevitable,  notwithstanding  the  stones  themselves  are  constantly 
dripping  with  water.  The  ' '  grinders'  consumption  "  is  the  doom  of 
only  a  few  years'  postponement  in  most  cases.  Adding  somewhat 
to  the  peril,  many  of  the  men  seem  really  to  be  sitting  astride  their 
stones,  "  riding  horses"  as  it  is  termed,  that  they  may  bring  their 
whole  avoirdupois  to  bear  upon  the  tool  while  grinding,  and  thus 
materially  expediting  the  work.  The  rate  at  which  these  huge 
grindstones  are  used  up  is  astonishing.  One  of  them  measuring  full 
seven  feet  in  diameter  will  have  been  so  worn  awa}'  by  three  weeks' 
use  as  to  require  replacing  with  a  new  one.  And  now  and  then, 
but  fortunately  not  often,  a  stone  bursts,  in  consequence  of  some 
imperceptible  flaw,  or  the  too  great  centrifugal  force  acquired  in 
its  rapid  motion,  when  the  track  of  the  flj'ing  fragments  is  marked 
by  the  fearful  mutilation  if  not  the  instant  death  of  the  man  who 
chances  to  be  grinding  probably,  but  certainly  by  the  terrible 
shattering  of  the  machinery  or  building. 

The  axe  is  now  ready  for  the  third  stage  in  its  progress,  and 
the  temperers  next  assume  its  management.  However  essential 
the  preceding  operations  ma}'  be  regarded,  this  must  be  conceded 
to  be  of  the  first  importance,  since  however  finely  shaped,  well 
forged,  or  how  excellent  soever  the  materials  entering  into  the 
construction  of  an  axe,  without  the  most  skilled  attention  to  the 
tempering  it  is  just  about  worthless.  The  first  thing  done  by  the 
temperer  is  to  make  the  tool  as  hard  as  possible,  and  this  is  eflfect- 
ed  by  heating  it  until  it  becomes  cherry  red  in  color,  and  then 
immediately  plunging  it  into  a  bath  of  the  strongest  brine.  It  is 
then  exposed  to  the  heat  of  a  small  coal  fire  until,  from  the  thin 
edge  to  the  thickest  part  of  the  blade,  the  precise  colors  are 
brought  out  which  indicate  the  exact  temper  required,  when  an- 
other cold  bath  puts  it  in  a  permanently  serviceable  condition, 
reminding  us  of  the  legend  of  the  warrior,  who  could  not  wait  for 


BKOAD    HATCHET. 


SHINGLING   HATCHET. 


LATHING    HATCHET. 


AXE    PATTIRN     HATCHET. 


PATTERNS  OF  HATCHETS  MADE  BY  THE  DOUGLAS   AXE   MANUFACTUKING  CO. 

18 


274  HISTORY   OF    DOUGLAS. 

the  finishing  of  his  armor  at  the  forge,  but  seizing  it  red  hot,  rode 
swiftly  forth,  and  was  surprised  at  finding  the  cold  air  had  tempered 
it  into  an  excellent  steel  weapon.  The  utmost  care  is  taken  in 
this  department,  so  different  from  the  practice  in  other  establish- 
ments, in  order  that  each  individual  axe  may  have  the  same  durable 
quality  secured  to  its  entire  steel  equipment ;  and  the  emploj^es  here, 
for  that  reason,  would  come  under  the  head  of  watchmen  more  strict- 
ly than  workmen,  since  only  through  the  most  careful  observation  of 
the  varying  color  in  every  tool  while  under  this  fier}^  test  can  the 
differing  degrees  of  hardness  at  the  edge  and  middle  of  the  blade 
be  secured. 


CLAW    HATCHET. 


The  finishing  up  of  the  axes  in  the  polishing  rooms  is  the  last 
process.  This  is  accomplished  by  the  aid  of  emery-wheels  large  and 
small,  coarse  and  fine,  and  needs  no  description  from  us.  It  is 
simply  the  aesthetical  department,  where  the  painstaking  artisans 
may  well  be  pardoned  for  pausing  a  little  while  just  to  beautify-  an 
implement  so  well  cared  for  b}^  their  brother  workmen,  from  first  to 
last,  as  they  send  it  out  to  Aviu  golden  compliments  from  the  great 
army  of  "  hewers  of  wood  and  drawers  of — "  blood,  sometimes,  if 
those  who  wield  a  Douglas  axe  are  not  as  sharp  as  these  tools  are 
capable  of  being,  with  fair  usage,  always  and  everywhere. 

It  only  remains  for  us  to  follow  the  brightly  polished  axes  to 
the  apartment  where,  after  being  separated  into  the  three  grades 
manufactured,  the}'  are  stamped,  bronzed  and  labeled  ready  for 
packing  in  boxes,  some  with  the  helves  and  handles  complete,  and 
the  rest  in  nests  of  a  dozen,  for  convenience  in  handling. 


CHAPTER    XIX. 


INCIDENTS. 


ROBBERY    OF    THE    AXE    COMPANY'S    SAFE. 


MONG  the  various  inci- 
dents connected  with  the 
history  of  the  town,  none 
probably  have  caused  so 
deep  an  interest  as  the 
following,  the  main  par- 
ticulars of  which  we  tran- 
scribe from  the  columns 
of  the  Douglas  Weekly 
Herald  of  May  22, 1869  : 
Our  usuall}'  quiet  com- 
munity was  suddenly 
thrown  into  the  wildest  excitement  last  Saturday  morning  (Ma^- 15) , 
b}-  the  discoverv  that  the  office  of  the  Douglas  Axe  Manufacturing 
Co.,  which  is  located  in  a  building  standing  by  itself  in  the  very 
heart  of  our  village,  and  almost  literallj'  surrounded  by  dwelling- 
houses,  had  been  during  the  preceding  night  made  the  scene  of 
one  of  the  most  daring  burglaries.  The  startling  fact  was  not 
discovered  until  after  7  o'clock,  when  Mr.  Charles  A.  Hunt,  one 
of  the  clerks,  was  engaged  in  opening  the  office  for  the  day  as 
usual.  Tlie  Agent,  Mr.  Edwin  Moore,  was  quicklv  notified  of 
what  had  taken  place,  and  himself  and  the  office  employes  as  soon 
as  practicable  commenced  an  investigation  as  to  the  extent  of  the 
depredations  committed. 

It  was  soon  ascertained  that  the  burglars  effected  their  entrance 
to  the  building  through  the  east  outside  door,  by  turning  the  door- 


276  HISTORY    OF    DOUGLAS. 

ke}'  which  had  been  left  iu  the  lock  on  closing  the  oflice  the  even- 
ing previous.     This  key   was  found  subsequently  on  the  bridge 
below  the  office  which  leads  to  the  tlnishing  shops.     After  getting 
inside  the  building,  the  door  leading  to  the  counting-room  was 
easilj'  forced  open,  apparently  with  one  of  several  jimmies  with 
which  the  burglars  were  equipped.     The  Company's  heavy  iron 
safe  was  situated  in  the  farther  corner  of  a  room  opening  from  the 
counting-room,   and  this  was  moved  entirely  across   this  room, 
through  the  door  and  into  the  middle  of  the  counting-room,  a  dis- 
tance of  nearly  tifteen    feet.     This  was   done   evidently  for  the 
purpose  of  getting  the  safe  as  far  as  possible  from  the  dwellings 
in  the  rear  of  the  office,  as  less  likely  to  expose  their  operations 
to  be  heard.     And  now,  of  course,  the  real  work  of  the  gang  com- 
menced.    Up  to  this  point  it  had  been  to  them  but  child's  play, 
and  with  their  accomplished  burglars'  outfit  they  attacked  the  mass- 
ive safe.     Probably  its  outer  door  was  opened  with  comparative 
ease,  but  the  inner  door  must  have  given  them  a  good  deal  of 
trouble,  as   they   evidently  found  themselves  completely  baffled, 
even  after  cutting  ofl^  t]ie  hinges  of  this  door,  and  were  at  last  com- 
pelled to  abandon  their  efforts  at  this  point.     They  then  turned 
their  attention  to  the  top  of  the  safe,  where  they  tried  the  driving 
of  iron  wedges  into  the  angle  formed  by  the  junction  of  the  front 
and  upper  plates  of  the  inside  compartment.     In  this  the}'  so  far 
succeeded  that,  with  the  aid  of  a  peculiarly-shaped  iron  hook  with 
which  they  had  come  provided,  they  fished  out  of  the  drawers  in 
the  upper  part  of  the  safe   nearly  everj'thing  of  value  which  thej' 
contained,  comprising  government  bonds,  certificates  of  stock,  and 
some  $50  in  money.     The  latter  they  probably  overlooked,  and  it 
was  found  where  it  had  been  placed  at  the  close  of  Friday's  business. 
This  robber}'  must  have  been  the  work   of  a  gang  of  pretty 
thoroughl}^  experienced  burglars.     No  two  ])ersons  could  easily 
have  moved  the  ponderous  iron  safe  for  such  a  distance,  besides 
lifting  it  over  the  threshold  of  the  door  through  which  it  was  taken. 
An  experienced  safe  manufacturer,  after  closely  examining  the 
matter,  pronounced  the  job  skillfully  done,  the  only  thing  indicat- 
ing inexperience  in  the  business  being  the  attempt  to  get  at  the 
valuables  b}^  cutting  the  hinges  of  the  inside  door.     This  must 
have  taken  them  considerable  time  and  hard  work  to  accomplish, 
and  besides  it  was  all  labor  lost,  since  when  this  had  been  effected 


INCIDENTS. 


277 


they  were  not  au}'  nearer  their  object  than  when  they  commenced, 
as  the  hinges  were  mereh'  designed  for  the  door  to  swing  upon,  and 
the  strong  lateral  working  bolts  inside  this  door  effectually  resist- 
ed all  attempts  at  forcing  it  open.  Their  expertness  at  the 
desperate  business  is  made  still  clearer  from  the  fact  that  when 
the}^  found  themselves  foiled  at  this  point,  where  they  evidently 
expected  only  a  slight  obstacle,  they  directed  their  efforts  to  the 
only  remaining  vulnerable  point  in  the  safe.     The  edges  of  the  top 


RESIDENCE    OF    A.    F.    BROWN,    ESQ. 

and  front  plates  did  not  overlap  each  other,  but  simph'  met  together, 
leading  just  enough  of  a  chink  to  admit  the  entering  of  a  sharp 
wedge,  and  in  this  manner  the  work  of  distending  this  small  open- 
ing sufflcientl}'  for  theii*  piu-pose  was  comparatively  an  easy  task. 
The  scene  presenting  itself  to  the  clerk  on  opening  the  door  of 
the  main  office,  on  that  .Saturday  morning,  must  have  been  shock- 
ing indeed.  Close  bj'  the  door  which  he  had  just  opened  stood  the 
wreck  of  what  was,  on  the  pre%aous  evening,  a  highly  finished  and 
apparent!}'  immovable  safe.     Scattered  about  the  floor,  in  every 


278  HISTORY   OF   DOUGLAS. 

direction,  was  a  perfect  medley  of  burglarious  implements,  such  as 
jimmies,  cold  chisels,  wedges,  hammers,  etc.,  while  the  fractured 
lid  of  the  office  desk,  with  the  open  door  of  the  safe  which  had 
been  so  securely  locked  the  night  before,  completed  the  picture  of 
violence  and  ruin  so  suddenly  and  unexpectedlj'  bursting  on  his 
astonished  vision. 

The  safe  was  permitted  to  remain  undisturbed  till  the  following 
Monda}',  to  enable  the  officers  to  make  all  necessary'  examinations 
preparatory'  to  entering  upon  their  search  for  the  perpetrators. 
Several  experienced  detectives  came  from  Boston,  Providence, 
and  other  points,  including  the  chief  of  police  from  Boston,  and 
Sheriff  Shumway  from  Webster.  A  detective  from  Providence 
took  a  description  of  a  couple  of  suspicious-looking  persons  who 
had  been  seen  larking  about  town  the  day  previous  to  the  robbery, 
to  see  if  the\'  could  not  be  identified  as  a  couple  of  New  York 
roughs  who  had  been  "  spotted"  in  that  cit}'. 

The  professional  liurglar  alwaj's  proceeds  s^'stematicallj'  about 
whatever  scheme  he  undertakes,  rarely  venturing  upon  the  con- 
summation of  his  plans  till  they  are  thoroughly  matured,  even  if 
to  secure  this  weeks  and  months  of  closest  watching  and  plotting 
are  requisite  ;  and  that  this  was  true  in  this  instance  there  is  little 
room  to  doubt.  In  the  first  place  the  members  of  the  gang  were 
evidently  aware  of  the  fact  that  as  a  rule  the  funds  for  paying  off 
the  employes  are  sent  from  the  Boston  office  to  the  resident  offi- 
cers here  only  on  the  afternoon  prior  to  pa^'-da}',  which  comes 
regularly  on  the  15th  of  each  month.  The  works  of  the  Company 
were  now  running  at  nearl}^  or  quite  their  maximum  capacit}',  re- 
quiring some  $25,000  monthly  for  the  wages  of  the  men,  and  no 
better  time  for  the  "  planting"  of  their  job,  as  in  burglarious  tech- 
nology the  commencement  of  active  operations  is  styled,  would  be 
likel}'  to  offer  itself.  Very  fortunatel}'  for  theCompau}',  however, 
on  this  occasion  the  money  was  forwarded  somewhat  later  than 
usual,  greatly  to  the  chagrin  of  the  thieves.  And  then  again, 
the  night  of  Friday  chanced  to  be  one  of  those  in  which  mist  and 
darkness  combine  to  favor  such  clandestine  operations. 

Their  method  of  procedure  was  also  quite  as  characteristic  of  the 
profession  as  the  circumstances  were  seemingh'  favorable.  The 
task  of  forcing  apart  with  iron  wedges  the  stout  iron  front  and  top 
of  the  safe,  not  to  mention  that  of  cutting  the  solid  iron  hinges  of 


INCIDENTS.  279 

the  inner  door,  must  apparently  have  been  attended  with  noise 
sufficient  to  awaken  the  occupants  of  the  closel}'  adjoining  houses  ; 
and  the  onl}^  possible  reason  why  all  this  heavy  work  failed  to 
arouse  the  entire  neighborhood  was  that  copper  sledges  were  evi- 
dently used,  thus  deadening  to  a  mere  thud  the  blows  which  oth- 
erwise would  inevitably  have  rung  out  a  sharp  alarm  to  the  entire 
neighborhood.  As  it  was,  with  all  these  w^ell-planned  precautions, 
Mr.  Caouette,  one  of  the  nearest  residents,  twice  left  his  bed  dur- 
ing that  night,  thinking  some  one  was  committing  depredations 
around  his  house.  On  one  of  these  occasions  he  threw  open  a 
window  directly  facing  the  office,  and  looked  carefully  around,  but 
seeing  nothing  to  excite  any  farther  suspicions  he  again  retired. 
Mr.  William  H.  Moore,  a  son  of  the  Agent,  also  employed  in  the 
office,  passed  by  the  building  at  about  12  o'clock,  but  neither 
heard  nor  saw  an3thing  to  excite  his  suspicions.  Mr.  James 
Smith  also  passed  the  building  not  far  from  the  same  hour,  and 
remembers  hearing  distinctly  a  succession  of  dull,  heavy  thumps, 
as  of  some  one  pounding,  but  suspecting  nothing  wrong  he  paid 
no  farther  attention  to  them.  No  light  was  seen  in  the  building 
b}^  au}^  one  at  any  time  during  the  night. 

During  the  day  previous,  as  alread}'  intimated,  suspicious  char- 
acters were  seen  lurking  about  town,  and  in  the  evening  they  en- 
gaged a  team  and  driver  of  Mr.  T.  H.  Baker,  livery  stable  keeper, 
to  go  to  Worcester,  stating  that  they  wanted  to  take  the  early 
morning  train  for  Boston.  The}^  seemed  to  be  in  a  great  hurry  to 
reach  that  place,  and  when  asked  whj^  they  did  not  wait  till  morn- 
ing, and  take  the  fii'st  train  direct,  as  they  would  get  there  sooner, 
they  only  gave  vague  answers.  These  same  men  stopped  at  the 
Bay  State  House  in  that  city  until  morning,  and  were  known  to 
have  been  there  as  late  as  8  o'clock,  and  it  is  surmised  that 
the}'  waited  for  the  boat  train  to  New  York,  which  leaves  at  about 
10  o'clock.  The  Worcester  Gazette  says  the  names  the}-  wrote 
on  the  hotel  register  were  of  course  fictitious,  and  one  of  them  was 
the  name  of  a  young  man  emploj'ed  by  the  Axe  Compau}',  who  was 
at  that  time  in  this  place.  One  of  the  two  was  marked  very  con- 
spicuousl}'  b}'  a  broken  nose,  and  is  known  to  be  a  noted  burglar. 
There  were  strong  grounds  for  suspicion  that  these  men  were  in 
some  way  implicated  in  the  robbery,  and  steps  were  immediately 
taken  to  hunt  them  up  and  cause  their  arrest. 


V 


280 


HISTORY   OF   DOUGLAS. 


The  following  is  a  list  of  certificates  taken  from  the  safe  :  — 

A  certificate  of  ten  shares  of  Axe  stock,  belonging  to  the 

heirs  of  Charles  Hutchius,  ....         $1,000 

A  certificate  of  five  shares  of  stock,  belonging  to  Edwin 

Moore,         ......  .  .  500 

Certificate,    No.    72,  of  five   shares   of    Central  National 

Bank  stock,  Worcester,  belonging  to  Anderson  Hunt,       500 

A  certificate,  No.  336,  of  one  share  of  Central  National 

Bank   stock,  belonging  to  Anderson  Hunt,     .         .  100 

LIST    OF    THE    STOLEN    BONDS    AND    THEIR    NUMBERS. 


Nos. 

78,191 

17,796 

8,611 

8,610 

8,699 

6,463 

4,108 

28,875 

31,993 

17,172 

110,027 

25,688 


Amt. 

Nos. 

,000 

28,812 

100 

58,486 

50 

38,086 

50 

91,265 

50 

116,412 

100 

91,264 

50 

214,552 

500 

96,771 

500 

45,013 

500 

28,347 

500 

6,439 

100 

24,837 

Amt. 

$50 

50. 

500 

500 

50 

500 

100 

1,000 

1,000 

500 

500 

100 


The  following  is  a  list  of  the  bonds,  showing  the  numbers  and 
amounts,  belonging  to  the  heirs  of  William  Kendall :  — 

6-81S. 


87,173 

.   $1,000 

2,375 

$50 

87,172 

.   1,000 

51,659 

.   1,000 

17,740 

100 

10,006 

100 

9,392 

500 

21,768 

1,000 

9,306 

500 

12,445 

500 

80,189 

.   1,000 

INCIDENTS. 


281 


5-20s.  — 1862. 

PRINCIPAL    LOSERS. 


Heirs  of  Wm.   Kendall, 

about  .  .  $9,000 
Royal  Keith,  .  .  1,250 
Rev.  Wm.  T.  Brings,    .     1,700 


Edwin  Moore,  .  .  $1,500 
Heirs  of  Chas.  Hutchins,  2,700 
Anderson  Hunt,         .  2,600 


Douglas  Axe  Co., 


500 


The  entire  losses  reached  the  sum  of  $20,000." 


DAY    AFTER   THE    ROBBERT. 


Owing  probably  more  to  excitement  than  any  real  grounds  for 
suspicion,  an  itinerant  vender  of  moth  powder,  who  wasted  con- 


RESIDENCE  OF  CHARLES  HUTCHINS  IN  1870. 

siderable  breath,  in  accusing  some  of  our  towns-people  who  are 
above  suspicion  of  comphcity  in  the  robbery,  and  made  some 
other  bold  and  improbable  statements,  was  regarded  by  many  as 
knowing  more  about  the  robbery  than  he  wished  to  acknowledge. 
His  braggart  style  made  the  place  too  warm  for  him,  and  he  con- 
cluded to  try  his  luck  at  exterminating  moths  in  some  other  locahty . 


282  HISTORY   OF   DOUGLAS. 

About  the  25th  of  Jul}'  a  New  Yorker  named  Daniels  was  also 
arrested  and  brought  to  town,  on  suspicion  of  being  implicated  in 
the  robbery,  but  no  evidence  was  found  corroborative  of  the  sus- 
picion, and  he  was  discharged. 

OTHER    INCIDENTS. 

In  1790  Capt,  Benjamin  Dudle}-,  Samuel  Wallis,  Paul  Dudle}', 
James  Wallis  and  Ebenezer  Curtis  went  to  Boston  on  snow-shoes, 
drawing  hand-sleds  loaded  with  produce,  which  the}'  exchanged 
for  such  commodities  as  they  were  unable  to  procure  at  home.  At 
Roxbury  they  were  beset  b}'  a  party  of  about  forty  roughs,  who, 
notwithstanding  their  numbers,  were  no  match  for  the  strength  and 
prowess  of  our  heart}-  backwoodsmen.  The  Douglas  bo^'S  won  a 
signal  "victory,  and  their  fame  spread  far  and  near. 

One  of  the  characteristics  of  the  men  of  that  day  was  a  pas- 
sion for  military  display,  and  in  the  days  of  trainings  and  musters 
some  of  the  best  military  and  caA'ahy  companies  in  the  State  had 
their  headquarters  in  Douglas.  Captain  Stockwell,  in  1820,  com- 
manded an  organization  known  as  the  Douglas  Light  Infantry, 
which  was  presented  with  a  stand  of  colors  by  Sarah  Titus,  a  most 
beautiful  and  accomplished  3'Oung  lad}-.  It  was  a  gala  occasion, 
which  some  of  the  older  inhabitants  still  remember  with  pride. 
Oliver  Emerson,  the  ensign  of  the  company,  received  the  colors, 
and  most  jealously  guarded  them  while  in  his  keeping. 

Capt.  Peter  Balcome  was  the  commander  of  a  company  of 
cavalry.  He  is  described  as  a  man  of  imposing  presence,  and,  as 
he  appeared  on  horseback  at  the  head  of  his  troops,  would  shout, 
^^ Attention,  all  GocVs  creation!" 

The  large  frames,  physical  strength  and  endurance  characteris- 
tic of  the  early  inhabitants  of  the  town  was  the  subject  of  wonder 
and  admiration  far  and  near.  It  is  related  that,  when  the  meet- 
ing-house was  being  built,  the  workmen  by  mistake  got  one  of  the 
plates  on  wrong  end  to.  It  was  a  very  heavy  piece  of  timber,  and 
for  a  long  time  resisted  the  efforts  of  half  a  dozen  strong  men  to 
place  it  in  its  correct  position.  Finally  Capt.  Ben  Dudley,  a  man 
of  herculean  strength  and  enormous  frame,   said,  "  stand  back, 


INCIDENTS. 


283 


boj-s,  and  I  will  turn  it  alone  !"  And  sure  enough,  he  did  ;  but 
the  pressure  was  so  great  that  both  of  his  heels  were  forced  out 
through  his  boots  ! 

Of  this  singular  prodigy  of  physical  strength  it  is  also  related 
that  he  had  a  brother  who  was  also  noted  for  his  strength,  besides 
being  a  famous  wa-estler.  His  name  was  Paul  Dudley',  and  he  had 
established  his  right  to  the  championship  by  throwing  the  best  men 
that  neighboring  towns  could  pit  against  him      One  day  a  muscular 


PvESIDENOE   OF   JESSE   B.   SHERMAN. 

fellow  on  horseback  rode  up  to  the  door  of  the  cottage,  and  in- 
quired for  Mr.  Dudley.  He  was  directed  to  the  mill,  whither  he 
had  gone  for  a  load  of  cider.  Riding  off  in  the  direction  indicated, 
he  met  INIr.  Dudley,  who  was  plodding  along  beside  his  ox  team, 
and  accosted  him  as  follows  :  ' '  The}"  tell  me  you  are  the  best 
wrestler  in  the  world.  Have  you  any  objection  to  testing  that 
point  W'ith  me?"  "Not  in  the  least,"  replied  Mr.  Dudlej- ;  "  but 
let 's  have  some  cider  first."  While  his  would-be  antagonist  was 
dismounting,  Mr.  Dudlej'  went  to  the  back  of  the  cart,  drew  one 
of  the  barrels  towards  him,  and  after  extracting  the  plug  delibe- 


284  ,  HISTORY  OF  DOUGLAS. 

ratel}'  lifted  the  barrel  b}^  the  chimes  to  his  mouth,  and  drank  from 
the  bung-hole.  The  stranger  looked  on  in  blank  amazement,  and 
then,  without  a  word,  remounted  his  horse  and  galloped  away. 

The  forefathers  of  the  town  were  troubled  about  idle,  hungry, 
immoral  paupers  with  rich  relations,  just  as  their  descendants  are 
to-day.  Bitter  animosities  grow  out  of  family  broils  ;  religious 
wars  are,  of  all  others,  most  horrible  and  wretched  ;  but  neither 
of  these  evils  compare  with  a  contest  to  settle  the  abiding-place 
and  continuing  cit}^  of  a  vermin-haunted  pauper. 

As  the  law  then  stood,  whenever  a  person  who  had  no  resi- 
dence was  likely  to  become  a  public  charge,  the  Selectmen  issued 
a  warrant  warning  him  to  leave  the  town,  which,  on  being  recorded 
in  the  town  clerk's  office,  relieved  the  town  of  all  responsibility. 
About  this  time  some  ugly,  misanthropic  spinster  gave  birth  to 
the  threadbare  saying,  "  out  of  the  world  into  Douglas,"  and  as 
this  was  repeated  from  place  to  place  the  idea  became  general 
among  the  paupers  of  the  county  that  the  law  did  not  apply  to 
Douglas,  and  they  flocked  thither  in  such  numbers  that  the  money 
spent  in  testing  the  law  would  have  comfortably  fed  and  clothed 
them  all. 

The  Selectmen  tried  a  "  little  game,"  and,  as  is  usual  in  such 
eases,  emptied  the  town  treasmy  of  money,  though  they  amply 
replaced  it  with  experience.  A  pauper  named  eTonathan  Stearns, 
whose  lawful  residence  was  unknown,  was  assisted  by  the  Select- 
men, who  charged  the  expense  to  half  a  dozen  different  towns, 
hoping  that  in  some  way  or  other  one  of  them  might  acknowledge 
him  as  its  resident.  Of  course  they  all  promptly  disowned  him, 
and  suits  were  brought,  in  which  the  town  of  Douglas  was  invariably 
beaten,  until,  after  having  led  to  costs  and  correspondence  enough 
to  have  kept  him  in  food  and  reading  all  his  daj^s,  poor  Stearns 
was  finally  thrown  upon  the  county.  The  whole  transaction  is  like 
the  case  of  greedy  heirs-at-law  who  spend  a  thousand  dollars  in 
litigation  to  find  out  which  is  entitled  to  a  legac}'  of  five  hundred. 

Minors  who  became  paupers  were  frequently  ' '  bound  out " 
during  their  minority  by  the  Selectmen.  Inventories  of  their  per- 
sonal effects  were  filed  with  the  town  clerk.  It  is  not  ever}'  rich 
maiden  of  to-day  that  has  "  scA'^en  shirts"  (alias  shifts,  alias 
smocks)  to  her  back,  as  did  Mar}'  Aldiich,  indentured  to  Abel 


INCIDENTS,  285 

Morse,  whose  inventory  was  as  follows:  "  1  green  skirt,  1  chect 
apron,  2  woolen  aprons,  12  handkerchiefs,  5  linen  loose  gounds,  1 
callicogound,  2  woolen  loose  goiinds,  1  cloak,  o  pr.  woolen  stock- 
ings, 5  pr.  linnin,  3  petticoats,  7  shirts  (alias  shifts,  alias  smocks), 
3  pr.  shoes,  1  bonnet." 

Aunt  Eunice  B was  one  of  those  practical  persons  in  whom 

the  useful  virtues  outshone  the  ornamental.  Ellis,  her  husband, 
was  seduced  b}"  an  itinerant  pedlar  into  trading  a  good  proportion 
of  his  available  property  for  a  watch  —  a  genuine  bull's  e^^e,  one 
of  those  comfortable  specimens  of  antiquity  we  sometimes  see  to- 
da}',  too  large  to  be  carried  round  without  fatigue,  and  too  small 
for  a  town  clock.  Watches  were  rare  in  those  daj'S.  Oppressed 
with  anxiety  lest  the  precious  article  should  be  lost  or  stolen,  he 
asked  his  wife  to  find  him  a  safe  place  to  hang  it.  Without  a 
word  she  rose,  and  after  lighting  a  candle,  and  requesting  him  to 
bring  a  hammer  and  nail,  she  led  the  wa}^  down  cellar,  stopping  in 
front  of  the  empty  pork  barrel.  '•'  Drive  the  nail  about  three  inches 
from  tlie  bottom  of  that  barrel,  and  hang  the  watch  on  it,"  said 
she  ;  "  there  is  room  enough,  and  no  one  ivill  ever  think  of  looking 
for  anything  there !  "  It  is  needless  to  say  that  the  watch  was 
soon  exchanged  for  more  productive  propert3\ 

Fuller  M was  famous  for  practical  joking,  and  never  lost 

an  opportunity  to  indulge  this  propensity.     Returning  from  Boston 

in  compan^^  with  one  Peter  B one  daj^,  in  the  good  old  times 

when  everybody  rode  horseback,  a  venerable  Quaker  turned  in 
from  a  crossroad,  and  jogged  along  the  "Hartford  pike"  just 
ahead  of  them.  He  was  mounted  on  a  plump  and  rather  vicious- 
looking  sorrel  mare,  with  small  eai's  and  a  bob-tail,  bounded  on 
either  side  b}'  capacious  saddle-bags,  while  his  grey  coat,  long 
neck,  thin  hair  and  broad-brim  rose  above  the  saddle,  with  the 
combined  humilit}'  and  dignity  of  a  veritable  Moses.  Fuller  saw 
his  chance  in  a  moment.  Telling  Peter  to  hold  up,  he  galloped 
forward  and  overtook  the  Quaker,  and  in  mysterious  tones  warned 
him  as  a  friend  to  beware  of  the  evil  person  in  their  rear,  telling 
him  that  Peter,  if  not  exactly  crazy,  was  certainly'  "  possessed  of 
a  devil,"  that  he  was  always  aroused  by  the  sight  of  a  stranger, 
and  had  been  known  in  such  a  case  to  attack  the  hapless  person 
and  rend  him  limb  from  limb. 


286  HISTORY   OF   DOUGLAS. 

These  things  so  wrought  upon  the  excited  Quaker,  the  effect 
being  heightened  b}^  the  solemn  wa}^  in  which  Fuller  had  made  the 
startling  revelations,  that  he  would  haA'e  plied  whip  and  spur  and 
fled  for  his  life  at  onceaf  Fuller  had  not  gravely  warned  him  that 
this  course  would  be  sure  to  draw  on  him  the  immediate  vengeance 
of  the  hair-brained  maniac.  He  left  the  Quaker  with  a  final  ad- 
monition to  flee  if  pursued,  and  returned  to  Peter.  "  Peter,"  said 
he,  "I'll  bet  you  a  'Douglas  bet'  (a  gallon  of  rum)  that  3'ou 
can't  catch  that  old  feller  ahead  there  !"  'Twas  done  !  Peter 
started,  and  so  did  the  Quaker.  Kicking  both  feet  clear  of  the 
stirrups,  and  wrapping  his  long  legs  together  under  the  animal's 
bod}',  the  Quaker  lashed  his  nag  till  the  little  mare  flew  like  Tarn 
O'Shanter's  when  the  witches  gave  chase.  One  after  another  the 
bulky  saddle-bags  parted  and  burst  asunder  on  tlie  road  ;  the  flap 
of  the  broad-brim  flared  aloft  in  the  wind  ;  the  Quaker's  long  hair 
streamed  in  elfin  terror  ;  and,  looking  neither  to  right  nor  left,  he 
went  ahead  like  Jehu.  The  sight  was  too  much  even  for  Peter.  He 
began  to  laugh.  His  horse  began  to  run.  Finall_y,  an  unlucky 
stumble  landed  him  end  over  end  in  the  bushes.  "  Did  3'er  catch 
him?"  meekly  inquired  Fuller,  as  he  came  up.  "Catch  him!" 
muttered  Peter,  "catch  lightnin  !  Yew  just  set  here,  an'  ef  he 
don't  git  over  his  scare  he'll  go  round  the  world  and  go  by  us 
again  in  half  an  hour !  "  On  reaching  home  Fuller  had  his  laugh, 
and  something  more,  that  lasted  through  haying. 

Another  incident  connected  with  the  Revolutionary  era  was 
pertaining  to  and  illustrative  of  a  military  gentleman  of  those 
historical  days  —  he  who  at  the  age  of  twenty  left  the  arms  of  his 
bride  in  sunny  France,  fitted  out  two  vessels  with  arms  and  pro- 
visions, sailed  for  Boston,  was  received  by  Washington  and  his 
army  with  acclamations,  joined  the  ranks  as  a  volunteer,  was 
wounded  in  his  first  action  near  Philadelphia,  and  commanded  the 
vanguard  of  the  patriot  army  at  the  capture  of  New  York — Mar- 
quis DE  Lafayette. 

The  illustrious  Frenchman  was  traveling  from  Boston  to  New 
York,  over  the  old  Boston  and  Hartford  turnpike.  He  had  break- 
fasted either  at  Mendon  orUxbridge,  and  on  reaching  Douglas  his 
horses,  which  had  become  spiritless  by  the  long  journey  from  Bos- 
ton, exhibited  much  fatigue.  Lafa3'ette  directed  his  driver  to  stop 
at  Douglas  and  obtain  a  change  of  horses.     Independence  Whip- 


INCIDENTS.  287 

pie's  father  then  kept  the  hotel  in  Douglas.  He  was  asked  by  the 
Marquis  if  he  could  let  him  have  two  fresh  horses  in  exchange  for 
his  tired  Bayards. 

"  I  have  but  one  suitable  for  your  Excellency',"  said  Jonathan 
"Whipple  ;  '^  but  our  mhiister  (we  think  it  was  Rev.  Mr.  Day)  has 
a  good  horse.  I  will  borrow  that."  And  the  minister's  and  land- 
lord's horses  were  hitched  together,  and  bore  the  gallant  Marquis 
to  the  "  land  of  steady  habits."  He  guaranteed  that  the  horses 
should  be  returned  within  a  certain  number  of  days,  and  a  gener- 
ous sum  was  to  be  paid  for  their  use. 

The  limited  time  expired,  and  week  after  week  went  by,  but 
the  horses  of  Messrs.  Whipple  and  Day  were  not  returned.  The 
clergyman  was  soreh'  vexed.  His  favorite  nag  was  considered 
indispensable  to  the  faithful  performance  of  his  pastoral  duties. 
The  sick  were  to  be  visited,  the  impatient  were  to  be  married, 
and  the  dead  were  to  be  buried.  'T  is  true  other  horses  were  to 
be  had,  but  they  were  not  orthodox!  How  could  a  "  Presbyterian, 
true  blue,"  ride  a  heterodoxical  horse?     Parson  Day  might 

"  Prove  his  doctrine  orthodox 
By  apostolic  bows  and  knocks," 

but  he  could  not  do  justice  to  himself  and  his  parishioners  without 
that  horse.  He  Avorried  Jonathan  Whipple,  and  Jonathan  Whip- 
ple worried  himself  concerning  the  horses  and  the  French  Marquis. 
Finall}'  Mr.  Whipple  heard  that  Lafayette  was  again  in  Boston. 
Taking  the  great  mail  coach  he  rode  to  the  tri-mountain  city,  and 
anxiousl}'  sought  an  interA^iew  with  Lafaj'ette.     He  found  him. 

"  Please,  what  does  Monsieur  want?"  inquired  the  polite  French- 
man. 

"  I  want  my  horse,"  said  Mr.  Whipple. 

"  Excuse,  Monsieur,  but  I  don't  know  either  you  orj^our  horse." 

"Well,  does  30ur  Excellency  remember  bon-owing  two  horses 
in  Douglas  ?" 

"Exactly,  Monsieur;  but  the  horses  were  returned." 

"  No,  no  !"  exclaimed  Jonathan  AYhipple,  a  little  excited  ;  "  the 
horses  have  never  come  back." 

"ie  diable  I"  exclaimed  Lafayette,  and  he  at  once  called  his  sec- 
retary. 

It  turned  out  that  this  functionary  had  failed  to  order  the  return 
of  the  horses,  as  dkected  by  Lafayette.    The  matter  was  explained 


288  HISTORY   OF   DOUGLAS. 

to  Mr.  Whipple,  with  many  apologies,  and  he  was  given  a  generous 
sum.  in  gold  to  cover  his  expenses  to  and  from  Boston,  and  to  pay 
for  the  use  of  the  horses.  The  animals  were  soon  after  returned 
to  Douglas,  to  the  great  dehght  of  their  owners. 

DUEL. 

In  the  year  1820  a  number  of  persons  arrived  at  Dudley's 
tavern,  coming  by  way  of  Worcester,  and  meeting  an  equal  num- 
ber who  came  by  way  of  the  old  Boston  and  Hartford  turnpike. 
The}'  spent  the  entire  night  in  playing  cards.  Very  early  in  the 
morning  the  teams  were  ordered,  and  the  party  proceeded  in  com- 
pany to  Rhode  Island,  first  inquiring  of  the  landlord  the  direction 
they  were  to  take,  and  ascertaining  from  him  how  far  the}^  should 
drive  before  reaching  the  boundarv  line  between  the  two  States. 
They  stopped  in  a  valley  surrounded  b}'  dense  woods  in  the  town 
of  Burrillville,  about  half  a  mile  west  of  what  is  now  known  as 
"  Cripple  Corner,"  and  two  miles  from  the  Massachusetts  line.  A 
small  brook  crossed  the  road  near  this  place.  One  of  the  principals 
was  named  Babbitt,  a  Lieutenant  in  the  navy,  belonging  in  Brook- 
field,  but  the  other  was  unknown  to  our  informant.  Both  of  them 
were  attended  by  surgeons,  and  Dr.  Batcheller  of  Douglas,  was 
called  upon  to  attend  and  offer  such  services  as  might  be  needed 
of  him. 

The  particulars  of  the  duel  are  not  known,  but  pistols  were 
used,  and  the  Lieutenant's  opponent  was  badly  wounded.  A 
board  covered  with  blood  was  found  near  the  brook.  When  the 
carriages  returned  to  Dudley's  tavern  one  of  them  bore  unmis- 
takable evidence  of  a  bloody  encounter.  Both  parties  left  on  the 
following  day,  leaving  the  honest  people  of  the  place  in  a  state  of 
amazement  and  wonder. 

Among  the  first  men  who  represented  the  town  in  the  General 
Court  was  Lovell  Pulsipher,  a  genuine  backwoodsman,  rough  in 
manners  and  dress,  but  possessing  many  elements  of  statesman- 
ship, including  an  ambition  for  political  distinction.  At  that  time 
the  town  was  considerably  in  debt,  and  no  wa}'  could  be  seen  to 
clear  it  off  except  by  an  abatement  of  the  Province  tax.  This 
Mr.  Pulsipher  pledged  himself  to  accomplish,  and,  accoutered  in 
an  old  leather  apron  that  had  seen  much  service  at  the  work -bench 


INCIDENTS.  289 

and  forge,  he  made  the  journe}^  to  Boston.  He  experienced  some 
difficulty  in  gaining  admission  at  the  court-house,  owing  to  his 
shabby  appearance,  and  to  the  fact  that  he  neglected  to  provide 
himself  with  proper  credentials,  but  he  succeeded  finally  in  gain- 
ing his  seat,  and  entered  at  once  upon  his  mission.  He  plead  for 
the  town  well,  and  succeeded  in  getting  the  Province  tax  abated. 

But,  notwithstanding  the  sj-mpathy  of  his  fellow  members  was 
enlisted  in  behalf  of  his  cause,  the}^  could  not  resist  the  opportu- 
nity for  a  little  fun  at  his  expense.  In  the  course  of  the  investi- 
gation Pulsipher  was  asked  if  there  were  accommodations  in  his 
town  for  a  committee  who  might  find  it  necessary  to  go  there  and 
inquire  more  carefully  into  the  matter. 

"  W-a-1,"  he  replied,  in  a  peculiar  drawhng  tone,  "there  's  a 
leetle  rye  straiv  down  there  ye  can  sleep  on !" 

' '  Are  there  no  smarter  men  in  Douglas  than  3'ou  ?"  asked  a 
bantering  member. 

' '  Yes,"  was  the  repl}',  ' '  there 's  plenty  o'  men  to  home  smarter  'n 
I  be,  but  they  hain't  got  no  close  Jit  tu  wear  tu  the  Gineral  Court!" 

These  arguments  were  sufficient  to  convince  the  body  that  the 
town  was  really  unable  to  pay  the  tax  imposed. 

Keziah  R and  Sj-bil  W ,  w^hile  \dsiting  an  acquaintance 

in  the  village,  became  enthusiastic  in  praising  the  fertiiit}'  of  their 
lands.  Keziah  boasted  that  two  kinds  of  mint  grew  on  her  farm  — 
spearmint  and  peppermint. 

"  Pooh  !"  said  Sybil,  "  there  's  three  kinds  of  mint  growin'  on 
our'n  —  spearmint,  peppermint,  and — yarrer!" 


19 


CHAPTER    XX. 


THE    CENTENNIAL    FOURTH    OF    JULY    IN    EAST    DOUGLAS. 


NDIVIDUAL  birth- 
days, as  they  come 
and  go,  will  doubt- 
less never lose  their 
interest  among  any 
thoughtful  people, 
and  the  more  there 
is  of  thoughtful- 
ness  characteriz- 
ing men  the  more 
precious  become  these  annual  returns  of  the  natal  day,  for  the}^  are 
recognized  as  marking  the  beginnings  of  lives  invested  with  the 
most  wonderful  of  human  possibilities.  And  since,  as  a  matter  of 
fact,  these  lives  are  found,  in  the  vast  majority  of  instances,  to  have 
been  attended  with  the  most  thrilling  actualities,  it  is  safe  to  accept 
the  all-prevailing  and  touching  custom  of  their  formal  observance 
as  one  entirely  coinciding  with  the  best  of  the  instinctive  convictions 
of  our  race.  An  anonymous  writer  in  the  London  J/a^/a^me  in  the 
following  lines  thus  beautifully  apostrophizes  this  event  of  mortal 
birth  ;  — 

"  A  life  has  jtist  begun! 
Auotlier  soul  lias  won 
The  glorious  spark  of  being. 
Pilgrim  of  life,  all  hail! 

He  who  at  first  called  forth 

From  nothingness  the  earth, — 

Who  piled  the  mighty  hills  and  dug  the  sea, — 

Who  gave  the  stars  to  gem 

Night  like  a  diadem, 

Oh,  blessed  child,  made  thee,  fair  creature  of  the  earth. 

Heir  of  immortal  life! 

Hail!   all  hail!  " 


THE   CENTENNIAL   FOURTH    OF   JULY.  291 

If  what  we  have  said  be  true  in  reference  to  an  individual  among 
the  millions  of  beings  composing  the  human  race,  of  whom  only 
an  almost  insignificant  fraction  are  known  outside  their  family 
circle,  how  grand  in  comparison  becomes  the  birthda}-  of  a  nation  ! 
So  thought  our  fathers  from  the  first,  and  naturally  "  Independence 
Day  "  has  been  the  synonym  for  the  wildest  and  most  jubilant 
ovations  in  its  honor  throughout  the  land,  the  popular  inclination  on 
its  annual  return  being  well  nigh  emancipated  from  all  the  usual 
restraints  put  upon  the  demonstrative  and  boisterous  natures  of 
old  and  young. 

But  the  one-hundredth  anniversary  of  this  event  is  at  hand  — 
what  shall  be  done  properl}^  to  observe  the  nation's  first  centennial, 
was  the  query  among  the  many  in  Douglas  who  felt  that  they  could 
never  have  the  opportunit}'  to  repeat  the  devoutly  patriotic  cele- 
bration they  were  planning  for  this.  The  question  seemed  to  thrill 
simultaneously  all  hearts,  and  became  more  emphatic  as  the  mind 
tried  to  take  in  the  events  transpiring  during  the  hundred  years  of 
testing  that  had  intervened.  Our  nation's  twice-repeated  victory, 
made  possible  bj'  the  unnatural  attitude  of  the  mother  countr}^, 
stands  out  sharply  in  the  memory  of  the  aged  ones  ;  the  matchless 
career  of  prosperity'  in  the  history  of  nations  vouchsafed  to  us  b}^  a 
kind  Providence  equally  challenges  the  admiration  of  all  —  even  of 
the  most  far-seeing  among  foreigners  ;  and  the  mournful  recollection 
of  our  people's  fratricidal  struggle,  so  recently  ended  in  triumph,  in 
which  so  many  millions  of  their  hard-earned  treasure  were  lost,  with 
many  hundreds  of  thousands  of  lives  as  the  darkest  feature  in  the 
melancholy  review,  —  these  and  kindred  thoughts  conspired  only  to 
intensify  the  conviction  that  some  specially  appropriate  service 
should  mark  the  Centennial  Fourth. 

And  so,  by  common  consent,  the  good  people  of  Douglas  re- 
solved that  July  4,  1876,  should  be  reall}'  a  red-letter  day  in  the 
histor}'  of  the  town.  Indeed,  had  it  been  otherwise  we  should  feel 
that  a  good  portion  of  the  record  we  have  made  in  these  pages 
touching  the  loyalty  of  our  fathers  must  needs  be  expunged.  So 
general  and  spontaneous  was  the  interest  cherished  on  this  subject 
by  the  citizens  of  all  classes  that  the  advent  of  the  day  was  fore- 
stalled by  a  general  illumination  of  the  public  and  private  build- 
ings, and  also  by  a  torchlight  procession  and  band  concert  on  the 
preceding  evening.     But  for  the  seeming  invidiousness,  we  should 


292  HISTORY    OF    DOUGLAS. 

yield  to  our  inclination  to  specif)'  some  of  the  residences  and 
grounds  which  were  more  profusel}'  arranged  for  this  occasion, 
the  degree  to  which  it  was  carried  being  generally  in  keeping  with 
the  ability  of  the  individual  proprietors. 

The  torchlight  procession  was  a  marked  feature  of  the  occasion, 
one  hundred  brilliant  torches  casting  their  lurid  glare  on  the  build- 
ings and  shrubbery  along  the  streets  through  which  the  procession 
moved,  while  a  number  of  transparencies  conspired  to  heighten 
ver^-  materially  the  pleasing  effect  of  the  novel  pageant.  The 
mirth-provoking  items  in  this  latter  feature  of  the  evening's  enter- 
tainment Avere  entirely  original  in  their  conception.  They  were 
admirably  carried  out  as  well  as  planned,  being  the  result  of  the 
combined  efforts  of  several  local  artists.  The  Calithumpians  took 
up  the  programme  where  the  torchlights  left  it,  making  the  balance 
of  the  night  as  redolent  of  the  more  demonstrative  kind  of  patriot- 
ism as  the  procession  had  rendered  it  enjo^'able  to  all. 

The  morning's  dawn  was  signalized  b^'  the  usual  sunrise  salvo 
of  artillery,  mingled  with  the  ringing  of  the  church  bells  through  the 
town.  This  over,  and  the  matutinal  meal  scarcely  finished,  the 
festivities  were  resumed  b}^  the  introduction  of  an  item  not  down 
on  the  bills  of  an  old-time  Fourth,  which  was,  in  the  opinion  of  our 
sires  and  grandsires,  entirely  too  serious  an  occasion,  and  asso- 
ciated with  altogether  too  momentous  questions  of  public  polity 
to  admit  of  much  that  was  either  jocose  or  farcical.  But  the  lovers 
of  fun  must  have  a  part  in  rendering  the  occasion  memorable,  so 
the  "  Horribles  and  Antiques"  join  the  trades'  turn-out,  which 
commenced  forming  at  the  early  hour  of  8  o'clock,  under  the  com- 
mand of  Wm.  H.  Moore,  as  Chief  Marshal,  who  was  aided  b}'^  As- 
sistant Marshals  Wm.  A.  Emerson  and  Chas.  J.  Batcheller. 

The  line  was  formed  at  the  junction  of  Main  and  Cemetery 
Streets,  in  order  as  follows  :  — 

Chief  Marshal  and  Aids. 

Douglas  Brass  Band — E.  F.  Darcey,  leader ;  W.  E.  Cooke,  Drum 

Major. 

Jean  Baptiste  Society — Joseph  Lemay,  President. 

Horribles,  Antiques,  etc.  —  Austin  Packard,  Captain. 

Trades'  Procession. 

Citizens  in  Carriages. 


BKSIDENCE   OF  X,.    S.    WHIPPLE,    EAST   DOUGLAS. 


BE8IDENCE   OF   EDWIN   MOORE,   EAST  DOUGLAS. 


294  HISTORY   OF   DOUGLAS. 

The  procession  made  a  most  imposing  appearance,  and  was 
greeted  by  the  heartiest  demonstrations  during  its  passage  through 
the  streets.  The  whole  affair  was  pronounced  tlie  best  of  an3'thing 
of  the  kind,  and  altogether  the  most  satisfactory  ever  witnessed  in 
the  history  of  the  town.  Nearly  all  the  traders  were  most  credita- 
bly represented  in  the  procession.  Mechanics'  Block,  with  its 
varied  departments  of  industry,  made  an  excellent  and  appropriate 
show  on  one  large  wagon.  AVilliams  &  Hanson  displa3-ed  their 
clothing  establishment  to  the  best  advantage. 

The  printing  office  of  Charles  J.  Batcheller,  seemingly  forgetful 
of  its  newly-acquired  itinerating  character,  was  throwing  off  sheets 
along  the  route  as  nicel}^  as  if  at  home.  The  tinsmithery  of  W.  S. 
Martin,  tired  or  ashamed  of  forever  waiting  at  its  ordinary  place  of 
business  for  its  patrons,  was  going  about  town  to  show  how  it  was 
done.  Harness-making  was  in  full  tide  of  successful  operation  hy 
Hugh  Greene.  W.  A.  WilUs  started  and  well  nigh  "  topped  out" 
a  brick  chimney  while  keeping  up  with  the  rest  of  his  fellow  trades- 
men in  the  pleasing  panorama.  Dealers  in  fish  and  meats  did 
ever}' thing  but  "catching"  and  '' killing;"  and  so  we  might  go 
through  the  list  of  representative  artisans  who  took  this  "  livel}''" 
way  of  showing  how  they  appreciated  the  day,  and  were  willing  to 
do  their  part  towards  making  the  celebration  a  grand  success. 

The  Antiques  and  Horribles  we  must  be  excused  from  at- 
tempting to  portray,  since  the  main  effort  of  the  participants  e\'i- 
dently  was  to  bid  defiance  to  the  pen  or  pencil  of  an}^  one  but  a 
Plogarth  to  give  them  so  much  even   as  a   fifth-rate   setting  out. 

They  must  needs  have  been  seen  to  be  either  appreciated  or 

identified.  One  of  the  best  things  in  the  display,  however,  was 
the  comical  affair  so  ingeniously  devised  by  Henry  Hutchins,  in 
the  shape  of  an  engine,  under  the  management  of  the  Douglas  Fire 
Department,  which  aflbrded  an  immense  amount  of  amusement  to 
the  throng  gathered  on  the  Common. 

A  committee  on  prizes  (Messrs.  Wm.  Abbott,  A.  F.  Jones  and 
Fenner  Batcheller)  went  through  the  process  of  inspecting  the  gro- 
tesque crowd  which  so  well  represented  Falstaff 's  regiment,  and 
as  the  result  of  their  discriminating  labors  awarded  three  prizes,  of 
five,  three  and  two  dollars  respectivel}',  Larrj' Desmod^'  taking  the 
first,  "  Douglas  Fire  Department"  the  second,  and  Miller  Hindon 
the  third,  when  the  procession  was  formally  dismissed. 


THE  CENTENNIAL  FOURTH  OP  JULY.  295 

At  11  o'clock  the  public  exercises  were  held  in  the  Congre- 
gational church,  in  the  following  order  :  — 

Music  b}'  the  large  choir. 

Prayer  b}'  Rev.  William  D.  Bridge. 

Reading  of  the  Declaration  of  Independence  by  Rev.  AVilliam  T. 

Briggs. 

Music  by  the  Band. 

Historical  Address  by  A.  F,  Brown. 

Music  b}"  the  choir. 

Oration  by  WiUiani  H,  Briggs. 

Music  b}'  the  choir. 

Mr.  Edwin  Moore,  President  of  the  Day,  officiated  with  the 
ease  and  dignity  so  characteristic  of  him,  and  Rev.  Mr.  Briggs 
read  the  Declaration  in  his  usual  clear  and  impressive  tone.  Of 
the  historical  address  by  Mr.  Brown  it  may  be  said  it  was  an  ad- 
mirable production,  evincing  great  painstaking  by  its  author  in 
gathering  up  the  interesting  and  valuable  facts  it  embodied,  for 
which  he  received  the  thanks  of  many  as  rendering  the  citizens 
the  most  important  service  yet  accomplished  towards  compiling  a 
history  of  the  town.  The  oration  followed,  which  was  a  very  fine 
production  indeed — terse,  discriminating,  and  sparkling  with 
brilUant  thoughts,  and  eliciting  warmest  praise  from  his  deeph'- 
interested  auditors.  It  was  loudly  applauded  at  its  close.  It  is 
not  often  that  a  young  man,  in  one  j-ear,  and  that  the  year  of  his 
majority,  is  admitted  to  the  bar  and  chosen  as  the  orator  of  the 
■da}^  on  such  an  occasion  by  his  townsmen,  yet  just  this  coinci- 
dence occurred  in  the  case  of  Mr.  Briggs,  and  marks  an  event  in 
his  histor}'  of  which  he  ma}'  well  cherish  the  pleasautest  memor}'. 

At  1  o'clock  a  clam  dinner  was  served  in  the  orchard  at  the 
rear  of  Ha3'den's  boot  and  shore  store,  the  Band  furnishing  music 
while  the  hungr}^  crowd  were  devouring  the  toothsome  bivalves. 
President  Moore  called  the  assembl}'  to  order  at  the  close  of  the 
•dinner,  and  announced  Mr.  W.  D.  Jones  as  the  toast-master  for 
the  occasion.  As  the  several  sentiments  were  read  the  following 
gentlemen  responded,  much  to  the  delight  of  their  listeners  :  Dea. 
A.  Butler,  Mr.  A.  F.  Brown,  Rev.  W.  W.  Dow,  Rev.  W.  D. 
Bridge,  Dr.  White,  Rev.  W.  T.  Briggs,  Mr.  W.  H.  Briggs  and 
the  President  of  the  Day. 


296  HISTORY   OF   DOUGLAS. 

In  obedience  to  the  terms  of  President  Grant's  proclamation,  a 
union  prayer  service  was  held,  after  the  exercises  at  the  dinner- 
table,  in  the  Methodist  vestr}^,  continuing  for  an  hour.  This 
meeting  was  one  of  much  interest,  and  drew  together  those  who 
felt  that  under  God  onl}'  had  we  as  a  people  attained  the  eminence 
we  occupy  among  the  nations  on  this  our  hundredth  birthday. 

The  balance  of  the  da}'  was  given  up  to  a  variety  of  sports  and 
plans  for  the  diversion  of  the  3'oung  and  old.  At  5  o'clock  a  tub- 
race  was  witnessed  from  the  shores  of  Hunt's  Pond,  the  banks 
surrounding  which  were  lined  with  a  large  crowd  of  spectators, 
who  greatly  enjoyed  the  scene  ;  and  at  half-past  6  o'clock  there 
were  wheel-barrow,  sack,  potato  and  running  races  on  the  Com- 
mon, which  created  a  deal  of  merriment  for  another  large  crowd ; 
and  in  the  evening  there  was  a  fine  exhibition  of  fireworks,  thus 
closing  up  a  da}^  replete  with  interest  to  the  hundreds  who  were 
drawn  together  as  witnesses  and  participants  in  the  rare  proceed- 
ings. It  was  repeatedly  remarked  that  the  very  best  order  pre- 
vailed throughout  the  da}',  and  no  disturbance  of  any  kind  has  yet 
been  chronicled  as  marring  the  occasion  from  beginning  to  end. 


CHAPTER     XXI. 


EDUCATIONAL ADDENDA. 

ROM  various  records  and  other  authentic  sources  the 
material  for  this  chapter  has  been  collated,  thus  com- 
pleting the  educational  history  of  the  town  —  a  portion 
of  which  was  given  in  a  previous  chapter,  but  bringing 
it  down  only  to  about  the  3'ear  1800. 

COMMON    SCHOOLS. 

From  the  town  records  we  learn  that  at  a  meeting 
held  on  the  first  Monday  in  April,  1797,  it  was  "  voted 
to  accept  of  the  report  of  a  committee,  as  far  as  respects  the  school 
Districting,  which  is  as  follows,  viz. :  That  there  be  a  district  on 
Wallum  Pond  Hill,  including  Aaron  Jepherson,  the  Widow  Kelley, 
and  all  the  inhabitants  that  live  west  of  them,  to  be  called  Wal- 
lum Pond  Hill  District. 

"And  that  the  Friends'  District  shall  be  annihilated,  and  that  they 
shall  be  included  in  the  district  where  they  live,  and  that  Thaddeus 
Tha3'er  District  be  annihilated,  and  that  Thaddeus  Thayer  be  an- 
nexed to  Benjamin  Walker's  District,  and  that  there  shall  be  a  Dis- 
trict to  be  called  the  South  District,  to  include  all  the  inhabitants 
that  are  in  Douglas  that  are  east  of  Wallum  Pond  Hill  District,  and 
that  are  south  and  west  of  the  following  persons  and  including 
them,  that  is,  Simeon  Harrendon,  Daniel  Aldrich,  Noah  Aldrich, 
Jun'r.,  Jacob  Aldrich,  Israel  Thayer  and  Richard  Bolster." 

On  the  first  da}"  of  Ma}^  of  the  same  ^^ear  it  was  voted  to 
divide  the  school  mone}^  among  the  squadrons  according  to  the 
number  of  scholars,  and  the  age  of  the  scholars  to  be  from  four3''ears 


298  HISTORY   OF    DOUGLAS. 

old  to  twenty-one,  and  that  the  return  of  the  scholars  shall  be 
made  to  the  Selectmen  and  assessors  by  the  committee  of  the 
squadrons  on  the  first  Monday  of  November  annually. 

"Mar.  7,  1808,  the  sum  of  forty  dollars  was  appropriated  by 
the  town  to  the  South  School  District,  for  the  purpose  of  enabling 
them  to  rebuild  their  school-house,  which  had  previously  been  de- 
stroy'ed  by  fire. 

"  March  10,  1821. —  The  town  appropriated  Two  Hundred  and 
Seventy-three  dollars  for  the  purpose  of  defraying  the  expenses  of 
building  a  School  House  in  the  Wallis  District  (so-called)." 

"  Nov.  4  1822. —  Paul  Dudley,  Aaron  Wallis,  Benjamin  Craggin, 
George  Emerson,  Willis  Walker,  Ebenezer  Balcome,  Prince  Par- 
ker, and  Comfort  Martin,  Jr.,  were  appointed  a  committee  to 
define  the  limits  of  each  school  district,  which  duty  they  performed 
to  the  acceptance  of  the  town." 

"April  5,  1830, —  The  Town  voted  that  each  School  District 
choose  its  own  Prudential  Committee,  and  in  April  of  the  follow- 
ing year  voted  that  each  District  have  the  privilege  of  choosing 
them  in  such  manner  as  they  may  decide." 

The  method  of  conducting  the  common  schools  of  the  town, 
adopted  at  the  beginning,  and  known  as  the  "  School  District 
System,"  has  been  adhered  to  until  the  present  time,  with  the 
exception  of  the  year  18G9,  at  which  time  the  State  Legislature 
passed  the  following  act :  — 

"Chapter  110.  —  an  act  to  abolish  the  school  district  system. 

"  Be  it  enacted^  etc.,  as  follows :  — 

' '  Section  1 .  The  School  District  Sj'stem  in  this  Commonwealth 
is  hereby  abolished. 

"  Sec.  2.  Each  District  in  which  the  district  system  now 
exists  shall  forthwith  take  possession  of  all  the  school-houses,  land,, 
apparatus  and  other  property  owned  and  used  by  the  several 
school  districts  therein,  which  said  districts  might  lawfully  convey, 
and  shall  appraise  the  same,  levy  a  tax  therefor,  and  remit  said 
tax  in  the  manner  provided  by  section  third,   chapter  thirty-nine 


RESIDENCE    OF   JOHN   M.    EAWSON. 


BESIDENCE   OF  A.   M.   HILL,   DOUGLAS    CENTER. 


300  HISTORY    OP   DOUGLAS. 

of  the  General  Statutes  ;  provided,  that  the  appraisal  of  the  school 
property  in  any  district,  or  the  amount  to  be  remitted,  shall  not 
exceed  the  sum  that  has  been  actually  raised  by  taxation  in  such 
district  for  such  propertj' ;  and  provided  further^  that  any  monej' 
or  propert}'  held  in  trust  by  virtue  of  any  gift,  devise,  or  bequest 
for  the  benefit  of  any  school  district  now  existing,  shall  hereafter 
continue  to  be  held  and  used  in  the  same  manner  and  for  the  same 
purpose  according  to  the  terms  thereof. 

"  Sec.  3.  The  corporate  powers  and  liabilities  of  any  school 
district  abolished  by  this  act  shall  continue  and  remain  for  the 
purposes  expressed  in  section  six,  chapter  thirty-nine  of  the 
General  Statutes 

"  Sec.  4.  All  acts  and  parts  of  acts  inconsistent  with  this  act 
are  herebj-  repealed. 

"  Sec.  5.  This  act  shall  take  effect  upon  its  passage."  (Ap- 
proved March  24,  1869.) 

The  following  year  another  act  was  passed,  allowing  any  town 
in  which  the  school  district  system  was  abolished  to  re-establish 
such  districts  by  a  two-thirds  vote  of  the  legal  voters.  By  virtue 
of  this  last  act  between  fifty  and  sixty  towns,  including  Douglas, 
voted  to  "  re-establish  the  school  districts  therein." 

During  that  year,  for  the  purpose  of  convenience,  the  several 
schools  were  known  and  designated  by  the  corresponding  number 
of  the  old  school  district.  In  March,  18G7,  by  vote  of  the  town, 
the  school  committee  were  directed  to  provide  suitable  school 
accommodation  for  the  school  children  of  East  Douglas.  In  ac- 
cordance with  these  instructions,  the  school-houses  in  Districts 
3  and  9  were  repaired  so  as  to  make  a  suitable  recitation  room 
in  each  for  the  use  of  an  assistant  teacher. 

In  1875  the  school-house  in  District  No.  9  was  thoroughly  re- 
paired and  reseated,  and  in  1878  a  considerable  addition  was 
made  to  that  in  District  No.  10,  besides  other  necessarj'  repairs, 
including  reseating.  The  following  extracts  from  the  last  annual 
report  of  the  school  committee  will  be  invested  with  some  degree  ■ 
of  interest  from  the  fact  that  it  shows  more  full}'  the  condition  of 
the  public  schools  at  the  present  date  :  — 


EDUCATIONAL  —  ADDENDA.  301 

UErOUT  OFTFIE  SCHOOL  COMMITTEE  OP  THE  TOWN  OF  DOUGLAS  FOll 
THE  YEAR  ENDING  APRIL  1,  1878. 

STATISTICS. 

The  whole  number  of  children  in  town  Ma_y  1 ,  1877,  be- 
tween 5  and  15  years  of  age,  .  .  .         .  447 
Whole  number  attending  school  during  the  year  of  all 

ages, 477 

Average  daily  attendance  in  all  the  schools,         .         .  305-)- 

Whole  number  attending  school  under  5  3'ears  of  age,  6 

Whole  number  attending  school  over  15  j^ears  of  age,  41 

Aggregate  of  months  all  the  schools  have  been  kept 

during  the  A'ear,        .......  lO^^i 

Average  number  of  months  the  schools  have  been  kept 

during  the  entire   3'ear,  .....  8A- 

Number  of  male  teachers  in  district  schools,         .         .  2 

Average  wages  paid  male  teachers  in  district  schools, 

per  month,  .......         $32  GO 

Number  of  female  teachers  in  district  schools,         .  15 

Average    wages    paid    female    teachers     in     district 

schools,  per  month,         ......       $31   12^ 

Town    appropriation   for    district  schools, 

March,  1877, $2,500  00 


Unexpended  balance  last  year, 
Dog  fund,         .         ,         .         . 
State  school  fund, 
Town  school  fund,  interest. 


792  98 

231  68 

201  52 

56  48 


Total, $3,782  66 

EXPENSE    OF    DISTRICT    SCHOOLS. 

Wages  paid  teachers,         ....    $3,163  00 
Fuel  and  care  of  school- rooms,  .         .         286  25 


Total, $3,449  25 


Balance  unexpended  April  1,  1878,     .  $333  41 

The  schools  in  Districts  Nos.  1,  2,  4  and  5  were  under  the 
supervision  of  A.  M.  Hill ;  Nos.  6,  8  and  9  under  the  supervision 


302 


HISTORY   OP   DOUGLAS. 


of  Levi  White,  M.  D. ;  Nos.  3,  7  and  10  under  tlie  supervision  of 
A.  F.  Brown  ;  the  High  School  under  the  general  supervision  of 
all  the  Superintending  Committee. 

The  School  Committee  were  :  — 


Oliver  W.  Adams, 

.      Term 

expires 

March, 

1879 

A.  M.  Hill, 

1879- 

A.  F.  Brown,        .         .         .         , 

1879 

J.    E.    CUMMINGS,       . 

1880 

Edwin  Esten, 

1880 

Levi  White,  M.  D., 

" 

1880 

A.  E.  Kemp,  M.  D.,       . 

1881 

W.  D.  Jones, 

1881 

N.  W.  Preston,     . 

rwM           r~\                    •  J  1   .   .      • _T     J> j_l_   _ 

-1  or- 

n     r\    1 

1        • 

1881 

The  Committee  organized  for  the  year  1878-9  by  choice  of 

A.  F.  BROWN,  Chairman.  W.  D.  JONES,  Secretary. 

A.  F.  BROAVN, 
W.  D.  JONES, 


Superintending  Coinmittee. 


HIGH    SCHOOL. 

Previous  to  1846  there  was  no  established  school  in  town  where 
the  higher  branches  of  learning  were  taught.  The  necessity'  for 
such  a  school  at  last  became  so  apparent  that  steps  were  taken  tO' 
make  the  necessary  provisions.  An  association  of  several  promi- 
nent citizens  was  formed,  and  suitable  school  accommodations  pro- 
vided at  East  Douglas. 

The  association  was  known  as  the  Citizens'  Hall  Association, 
and  the  following  is  a  copy  of  the  original  subscription  list,  which 
states  the  purposes  of  the  societ}^  and  the  men  who  were  then  prom- 
inent in  educational  affairs  :  — 

East  Douglas,  June  30,  1846. 
"We,  the  undersigned,  feeling  the  importance  of  affording  to 
our  youth  in  this  communit}'  greater  facilities  for  the  attainment  of 
a  higher  hterary  education  than  can  be  expected  from  the  public 
or  town  school,  and,  on  account  of  the  proposed  erection  of  a 
school-house  in  District  No.  9  in  this  town,  beheving  the  present 
a  favorable  time  to  make  an  effort  to  secure  the  above-named 
object,  do  hereby  agree  to  pay  for  the  purpose  of  adding  another 


EDUCATIONAL  —  ADDENDA. 


305 


story  to  the  school-house  about  to  be  erected  in  District  No.  9,  in 
Douglas,  in  the  count}^  of  Worcester  in  Massachusetts,  and  for 
other  necessar}'  expenditures  connected  with  the  same,  the  sums 
hereunto  affixed  to  our  names,  provided  the  sum  of  six  hundred 
dollars  be  subscribed  for  the  aforementioned  object  or  purpose,  and 
pro^aded  the  same  six  hundred  dollars  or  stock  be  divided  into 
shares  of  twelve  dollars  and  fiftj'  cents  each  ;  and  provided  also, 
when  said  sum  shall  have  been  subscribed,  the  subscribers  are  no- 
tified to  meet  for  the  choice  of  Directors,  who  shall  be  authorized 
to  expend  said  fund  for  said  purpose  :  — 


SUBSCRIBERS    NAMES. 

Warren  Hunt,     .     .  .  $50  00 

Moses  Knapp,     ...     50  00 

Otis  W.  Hunt,     .     .  .100  00 

Moses  Hill,     .     .     .  .     12  50 

OUverllunt,   .     .     .  .     37  50 

Edward  F.  Stone,     .  .     12  50 

Samuel  W.  Heath,    .  .     25  00 

Fenner  Batcheller,    .  .     25  00 

Anderson  Hunt,  .     .  .     25  00 

Leander  B.  Hunt,     .  .     25  00 

Lyman  Parsons,  .     .  .     12  50 

Albert  Butler,  .    .     .  .     12  50 

Artemus  Knowltou,  .  ,     12  50 

Charles  Hutchins,     .  .     12  50 

Justin  B.  Whipple,  .  .     12  50 


SUBSCRIBERS    NAMES. 


Adna  Taft, 


$12  50 


Jonathan  Sprague, 

.     .     12  50 

Dexter  Whipple, 

.     .     12  50 

Horace  Emerson,     . 

.     25  00' 

Sumner  Balcome, 

.     .     12  50 

Luther  Stone,     .     . 

.     12  50 

Joel  Utle}^,     .     .     . 

.     12  50 

Mowrey  Prentice, 

.     .     12  50 

Chaunce}^  D.  Rice,    . 

.     12  50 

Seth  Hunt,     .     . 

.     12  50 

Edward  F.  Stone, 

.     25  00 

Simeon  and  James  S 

mith,  12  50 

$600  00 


At  a  proprietors'  meeting,  Oct.  20, 1846,  the  Trustees  of  the  so- 
ciety. Rev.  Chauncey  D.  Rice,  Dea.  Warren  Hunt,  and  Moses 
Knapp,  Esq.,  together  with  Col.  Horace  Emerson,  were  chosen  a 
Building  Committee,  and  began  the  work  of  building  soon  after 
that  date. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  proprietors  of  Citizens'  Hall  at  the  hotel  of 
Horace  Cummings,  April  1,  1847,  the  Trustees  were  empowered  to 
procure  a  teacher  and  establish  a  school  in  the  Hall  whenever  the 
same  should  be  ready  for  use. 

For  several  years  after  the  completion  of  the  school-house  a  High 
School  was  thus  provided  for,  and  supported  by  the  paj-ment  of  tu- 


304  HISTORY  OP  DOUGLAS. 

ition  b}'  those  who  had  children  to  send,  and  the  Hall  was  let 
for  other  purposes  as  occasion  offered.  The  school  not  being 
largely  attended  the  expense  was  necessarily  borne  by  a  few.  With 
a  view  of  making  the  burden  lighter  for  those  who  had  children  to 
send,  Dr.  Kzekial  Wood,  not  having  children  of  his  own,  provided 
schooling  for  two  or  three  children,  and  at  his  death,  the  year  fol- 
lowing, left  a  permanent  fund  for  the  benefit  of  the  High  School, 
the  following  being  an  exact  copy  of  the  note  and  will :  — 

NOTE. 

$500.00  Douglas,  Nov.  13th,  1849. 

"  For  value  received,  I  promise  and  agree  shall  be  paid  out  of 
my  estate,  to  the  Trustees  of  the  High  School  in  Douglas,  or  their 
successors  in  office,  the  sum  of  Five  Hundred  Dollars,  in  the  fol- 
lowing manner?  by  my  Executors  or  Administrators  after  my  de- 
cease, as  follows,  to  wit :  —  One  Hundred  Dollars  iu  one  j'ear  after 
the  appointment  of  said  Executors  or  Administrators    and   One 
Hundred  Dollars  per  annum  for  the    four  successive  years  next 
thereafter,  to  be  applied  hj  said  Trustees  to  the  advancement  of 
education  in  said  High  School;  and  in  case  said  School  shall  not  be 
kept  the  term  of  one  whole  year  together  during  the  five  years  in 
which  said  payments  are  to  be  made,  as  aforesaid,  then,  in  that 
case,  this  note,  promise  and  agreement  is  to  become  null  and  void, 
and  said  payments  become  forfeited  and  go  into  my  estate,  to  be 
administered  by  ni}"^  said  Executors  or  Administrators  according 
to  law  and  my  will." 

(Signed)  EZEKIEL  WOOD. 
Attest  : 

WARREN  HUMES. 

WILL. 

(Only  that  part  is  quoted  which  relates  to  this  bequest.) 

Douglas,  Nov.  30th,  1849. 

' '  I  have  given  a  certain  note  to  the  Trustees  of  East  Douglas 
High  School,  in  said  Douglas,  provided  the  Stockholders  and 
Trustees  are  entitled  thereto  by  complying  with  the  terms  and 
conditions  of  said  note,  and  not  otherwise." 

(Signed)  EZEKIEL   WOOD. 


H 

■c 
o 

■t-H 

s 


;> 

.73 

H 

O 

o 

c: 
c 

> 

CO 


:io 


306  HISTORY   OP   DOUGLAS. 

About  the  year  1874  the  proprietors,  in  connection  Avith  the- 
Committee  of  District  No.  9,  made  extensive  repairs  on  their 
school  building,  and  a  portion  of  the  Dr.  Wood  fund  was  used  to- 
help  defray  the  expenses  thus  incurred.  This  led  to  a  suit  at  law, 
in  which  the  course  of  the  trustees  was  sustained. 

In  18G7  a  fixed  standard  was  decided  upon  for  pupils  entering 
the  High  School,  and  during  the  three  3'ears  previous  to  18G7  this 
school  furnished  twelve  teachers  for  Douglas  and  neighboring 
towns.  Since  that  time  the  standard  has  been  gradually  raised, 
and  in  1878  the  School  Committee  made  several  important  advances, 
which  are  referred  to  in  the  following  extract  from  their  annual 
report  for  1877,  and  the  plan  is  now  being  carried  out :  — 

"  Your  committee  intend,  at  the  commencement  of  the  next 
school  3'ear,  to  prescribe  a  course  of  study  for  a  three  years' 
course,  requiring  all  scholars,  as  far  as  practicable,  to  pursue  the 
full  course,  with  the  understanding  that  those  who  do  so  success- 
fully shall  be  entitled  to  and  receive  a  diploma  at  the  close  of  the 
third  3'ear.  By  this  means  we  hope  to  reduce  the  number  of 
classes  without  detriment  to  the  scholars,  and  to  give  to  each 
scholar  who  shall  pursue  the  full  course  a  fair  practical  educa- 
tion. We  also  recommend  to  the  town  the  establishment  of  a 
Grammar  School  —  a  department  between  the  Intermediate  and 
the  High  School." 

It  is  hoped  that  this  plan  may  be  successfully  carried  out,  and 
the  attempt  is  now  being  gradually  made.  With  the  heart}'  co- 
operation of  the  townspeople  much  can  be  accomplished,  and  our 
schools  advanced  to  that  grade  where  they  will  be  on  a  par  with 
the  majority  of  similar  institutions  in  the  State. 

For  two  years  past  the  school  has  been  in  charge  of  Ralph  H. 
Bowles,  Jr.,  A.  M.,  under  whose  thorough  instruction  the  progress 
has  been  conmiendable,  and  has  more  than  answered  the  expecta- 
tions of  parents  and  friends. 

In  conclusion  we  desire  to  make  mention  of  other  teachers  wha 
in  years  past  rendered  efficient  service  in  this  school,  and  became 
endeared  In*  ties  of  friendship  to  many  who  were  associated  with 
them  as  pupils. 

From  1853  to  18G1  the  school  was  taught  by  W.  H.  Kingsbury, 
Edward  F.  Williams,  Miss  Cook  and  Miss  Susan  Wingate  ;  from 
1861  to  1864  Charles  W.  Moore  (assisted  by  his  wife  during  his. 


EDUCATIONAL ADDENDA.  307 

absence  in  the  army)  ;  from  1864  to  1868  by  Thomas  II.  Tucker. 
R.  M.  Streeter,  his  successor,  remained  until  the  fall  of  1869, 
when  he  went  to  Toledo,  Ohio,  to  accept  an  important  position 
there.  Since  that  time  the  following  teachers  have  been  em- 
ployed :  M.  R.  Chace,  Isaiah  F.  Pray,  George  F.  Stone,  Philip 
Berry,  G.  Irving  Hopkins,  L.  N.  Cummings,  and  M.  R.  Hurd. 


CHAPTER   XXII 


THE    MOSES    WALLIS    DEVISE, 

Y  a  singalai-l3'-drawn  will,  Moses  "VVallis,  a  native 
of  Douglas,  bequeathed  a  certain  portion  of  his  es- 
tate to  the  town,  for  the  purpose  specified  minutely 
in  his  will,  and  for  "■  none  other  whatsoever."  If 
this  document  is  singular  in  its  tenor,  as  every  one 
must  concede,  some  might  deem  it  nearly  as  singu- 
lar that  the  town  should  ever  have  assumed  the  ob- 
ligations imposed  bj^  accepting  the  trust.  As  will 
be  seen,  the  fund  in  the  custod3-  of  the  town  must  remain  on  in- 
terest till  Nov.  16,  1901,  when  the  accumulated  principal  and 
interest  forms  a  new  principal,  which  "  shall  forever  thereafter  be 
kept  on  interest,  the  annual  interest "  of  this  new  principal,  when  it 
reaches  $12,000,  and  not  till  then,  to  be  apphed  to  the  building 
of  a  town  hall,  etc. 

The  present  status  of  this  devise,  after  thirty-seven  years'  in- 
vestment, will  appear  by  the  last  report  of  the  town  agent,  which 
is  as  follows  :  — 

Report  of  the  Agent  on  the  Moses  Wallis  Devise,  to  Feb.  i,  1878: — 

1877. 
Feb.  1. 
''    1. 
"    1. 


Value  of  notes  drawing  interest. 
Cash  in  hands  of  agent. 
Accrued  interest,  about  . 


$10,078  97 
596  11 
675  00 


$11,350  08 
The  Agent  has  received  on  Devise,  for  1877,  as  follows  :  — 
April      1.     Principal  on  Warren  B.  Thaj'er's 

note, $200  00 

June      8.     Principal  on  Willard  Dodge's  note,  250  00 


THE    MOSES    WALLACE    DEVISE.  309 

Sept.  10.  Principalon  Samuel  Balcome's  note,  100  00 
Oct.  25.  "  Abel  Parker's  note,  200  00 
Interest  on  notes  for  1877,  .  .  .  593  28 
Cash  from  1876, 596  11— $1,939  39 

The  Agent  has  loaned  and  paid  on  Devise  as  follows  :  — 
1877. 

Loaned  Amos  A.  Humes, 

"     John  G.  Buffum, 

'■''     J.  Ehvin  Cummings, 
•  "     Phoebe  Young, 
Paid  appraisers, 

Trip  to  AVorcester  to  examine  titles, 
Discharging  two  deeds. 
Recording  one  deed. 
Expense  to  Worcester, 
Recording  one  deed. 
Paid  appraisers, 
Discharging  one  mortgage. 
Paid  appraisers. 

Paid  James    Daniel  for    cleaning 
Moses  Wallis'  monument,     .  .       7  00 

Paid  town,  count}',  and  State  tax,  142  50 

"     Appraisers  .  .  .       4  50 

Services  for  taking  care  of  De\ase, 
for  1877,  .         -         .         .    60  00—81,762  85 


April 

12. 

March  22. 

Sept. 

22. 

Nov. 

9. 

April 

5. 

(; 

5. 

a 

5. 

li 

5. 

a 

12. 

(( 

12. 

u 

12. 

( i 

28. 

Sept. 

20. 

u 

22. 

Oct. 

12. 

Nov. 

9. 

1878 

• 

Feb. 

1. 

$350 

00 

375 

00 

500 

00 

300 

00 

6 

00 

e  titles,  5 

00 

50 

.      1 

10 

.       2 

50 

.       1 

00 

.       4 

50 

25 

.       3 

00 

1878. 

Leaving  cash  in  hands  of  Agent,    ...  $176  54 

Value  of  notes  drawing  interest,     .         .         .  10,853  97 

Accrued  interest,  about          ....  722  70 


$11,753  21 
Increase  of  Devise  for  1877,    ....  $403  70 

All  of  which  is  respectfully  submitted. 

NELSON  POTTER,  Agent  of  said  Devise. 


310 


HISTORY   OF    DOUGLAS. 
MOSES    WALLIS'    WILL. 


MOSES    WALLIS,    of 

Douglas,  in  the  county  of 
Worcester,  C  o  ni  m  o  n  - 
wealth  of  Massachusetts, 
being  in  a  very  infirm 
health,  and  sensible  too  of 
ni3'  liableness  to  sudden 
death,  at  the  same  time 
being,  in  my  own  appre- 
hension, of  a  sound  mind,  do  judge  it  best  to  make,  and  accord- 
ingly do  hereby  make  this  my  last  will  and  testament,  hereby  re- 
voking all  former  wills  b_y  me  at  any  time  heretofore  made. 

It  is  my  will  that  all  just  debts  and  charges  of  my  funeral  be 
paid  and  discharged  by  my  Executor,  hereinafter  named  and  ap- 
pointed, out  of  that  part  of  my  estate  hereinafter  designated  for 
that  purpose,  as  soon  as  convenient  after  ni}'  decease. 

I  give,  devise  and  dispose  of  all  my  estate,  both  real  and  per- 
sonal (save  what  shall  be  necessary  for  the  payment  of  my  just 
debts,  funeral  charges,  and  to  procure  a  set  of  good  marble  grave- 
stones, of  the  value  of  not  less  than  fifty  dollars,  to  be  procured  by 
my  said  Executor,  and  by  him  erected  at  my  grave  as  soon  as  con- 
veniently may  be  after  my  decease) ,  in  the  following  manner,  to- 
wit :  — 

I  give  to  my  brother,  Peter  Wallis,  two  undivided  third  parts  of 
all  of  that  part  of  my  Laphara  wood  lot  lying  in  the  westerl}^  part 
of  said  Douglas,  to  hold  to  him,  his  heirs  and  assigns  forever. 

I  give  and  devise  unto  my  brother,  Benjamin  Wallis,  and  his 
son,  Waldo  WaUis,  my  saw-mill  and  privilege,  with  all  m}'^  land 
l3ang  together  and  adjoining  said  saw-mill  and  saw-mill  privilege, 
with  all  the  residue  of  my  said  Lapham  wood  lot  (not  hereinbefore 
devised  to  said  Peter  Wallis)  lying  upon  the  north  and  south  side 
of  said  pond,  and  all  situate  in  the  westerly  part  of  said  Douglas, 
to  hold  to  them,  said  Benjamin  and  Waldo,  and  their  heirs  and  as- 
signs forever,  together  with  all  the  privileges  and  appurtenances 
to  the  same  belonging,  and  the  tools  and  irons  belonging  to  said 
saw -mill. 


TEIE   MOSES    WALLACE   DEVISE,  311 

T  give  and  devise  unto  m}'  brother,  Josepli  Wallis,  all  of  my 
"Willard  AVallis  wood  lot,  so-called,  situate  in  the  westerlj'  part  of 
said  Douglas,  to  hold  to  him,  his  heirs  and  assigns  forever. 

I  give  and  devise  unto  my  brother,  Kufus  Wallis,  all  of  that 
mowing  lot  lying  at  the  north  end  of  the  lane  (running  northerly 
from  said  Kufus'  cider-mill  yard),  as  the  same  is  enclosed  b}'  the 
fences  surrounding  it,  to  hold  to  him,  his  heirs  and  assigns  for- 
ever. 

1  give  and  devise  unto  my  said  brother,  Joseph  Wallis,  Peter 
II.  Wallis  (son  of  m}'  brother  Peter),  P^lbridge  Gr.  Wallace,  and 
JBenjamin  Wallis  (son  of  1113'  brother  Kufus),  all  of  4;hat  part  of 
my  real  estate  lying  between  the  road  (leading  from  the  David 
Walker  place  in  said  Douglas  to  and  by  the  dwelling-house  of 
•John  Hunt  in  Sutton,)  and  the  west  line  of  Ezra  Morse's  land,  and 
said  west  line  continued  in  the  same  direction  from  the  N.  W.  cor- 
ner of  said  t^zra's  ftirm  (which  he  purchased  of  the  inhabitants  of 
Douglas)  northerl}'  to  Sutton  south  line  ;  bounded  east  by  the 
east  line  of  a  part  of  the  same  premises  which  my  father  purchased 
of  Elisha  Hill,  north  by  Sutton  south  line,  west  by  said  road,  and 
south  by  the  road  leading  from  said  Walker  place  to  said  Morse's, 
to  hold  to  them,  their  heirs  and  assigns  forever. 

I  hereby  order  and  direct  m}"  Executor,  hereinafter  named, 
to  sell  and  convey  all  of  my  wood  lot  lying  upon  the  west  side  of, 
;and  adjoining  the  Oxford  and  Providence  turnpike  road,  formerly 
so-called,  bounded  south  by  land  of  said  Joseph  Wallis,  west  by 
land  of  Aaron  AVallis,  and  north  by  land  of  Samuel  Dudley, 
together  with  all  my  wood  lot  lying  at  the  northeast  corner  of  my 
farm,  bounded  south  by  said  Ezra  Morse's  said  farm  he  purchased 
of  said  inhabitants,  west  by  that  tract  of  land  herein  before  devised 
to  said  Joseph,  Peter  H,,  Elbridge  G.,  and  Benjamin  son  of  said 
Rufus,  north  by  Sutton  south  line,  and  east  by  land  of  the  Morses  ; 
-•and  I  hereby  further  order  and  direct  my  said  Executor  to  sell 
at  Public  Auction,  and  so  to  dispose  of  all  m}^  movable  personal 
property,  including  all  my  haj',  grain,  farming  tools,  carts,  wagons, 
neat  stock,  horse,  sheep,  swine,  household  furniture  and  provisions, 
etc.  Reserving,  however,  so  much  of  my  pro%dsions  as  shall  be 
neccssar}'  to  be  used  in  boarding  those  persons  who  my  said  Exe- 
cutor may  appoint  to  take  the  charge  and  care  of  my  said  personal 


312  HISTORY   OF   DOUGLAS. 

property,  until  he  may  dispose  of  the  same  as  aforesaid.  Except- 
ing also  the  following  articles  of  personal  property,  which  I  other- 
wise dispose  of,  to  wit :  — 

I  give  to  my  brother  Benjamin  nn'  Desk,  Chest  and  small 
Trunk  in  said  Chest,  all  my  papers  and  Account  Books. 

I  give  to  said  Waldo  A^allis  niy  Bible,  Robin's  Ancient  Historj^ 
in  two  volumes,  and  McKenzie's  Receipts.  I  give  to  Prudence 
Wallis,  wife  of  ni}'  brother  Josepli,  my  History  of  the  United 
States  and  Barber's  Historical  Collections,  ni}^  feather  bed,  bol- 
sters, pillows,  bedstead  and  cord,  in  my  north  Chamber,  and  my 
Chest  of  Drawers  which  were  my  mother's.  I  give  to  said  Elb ridge 
G.  Wallace  my  Book  of  the  United  States,  Napoleon's  Campaigns^ 
Manners  and  Customs  in  two  volumes.  Laws  of  Massachusetts, 
Yankee  Notions  and  Daboll's  Arithmetic,  all  my  wearing  apparel, 
gun  and  all  my  military  accoutrements. 

I  give  to  my  four  brothers,  Peter,  Benjamin,  Joseph  and  Rufus- 
and  said  Elbridge,  all  of  the  residue  of  my  Library,  to  he  equally 
divided  between  them.  I  give  to  my  brothers  Peter  and  Benja- 
min all  my  wool  not  manufactured  into  3'arn.  T  give  to  m}-  brother 
Rufus  the  chest  of  drawers  which  were  my  grandfather's.  I  give- 
to  my  brother  Peter  my  smallest  Iron  Bar,  and  the  next  in  size  I 
give  to  my  In-other  Joseph,  and  the  next  in  size  I  give  to  brother 
Benjamin,  and  my  largest  Iron  Bar  I  give  to  Brother  Rufus  :  with 
all  my  undivided  personal  property  which  I  hold  in  common  with 
said  Rufus,  I  give  to  him. 

I  give  also  to  said  Joseph  all  n\y  Cooper  and  Carpenter  tools. 

It  is  my  desire  that  all  the  white  and  3'ellow  pine  plank,  door 
studs,  with  the  arms  and  lioards  for  the  doors  belonging  to- 
rn}'Parker  Barn,  be  kept  and  not  sold,  except  with  the  Real  Estate^ 
and  it  is  my  desire  tliat  my  clock  shall  be  sold  and  go  with  my 
dwelling,  and  that  my  feather  beds,  bolsters  and  pillows  be  sold  by 
weight,  and  all  my  other  personal  property  to  be  sold,  be  sold  in 
such  a  manner  as  will  be  most  beneficial  to  all  concerned. 

I  hereby  order  and  direct  my  said  Executor,  that  out  of  the 
proceeds  of  the  sale  of  my  said  wood  lots  hereinbefore  directed  to- 
be  sold,  and  the  proceeds  of  the  sale  of  my  said  personal  property, 
together  with  the  amount  of  all  the  collections  of  all  my  securities, 
dues  and  demands  owing  and  due  to  me  at  ni}'  decease,  to  paj^  the 
following  Legacies  to  the  following  persons,  in  one  j-ear  after  my 


THE    MOSES    WALLACE    DEVISE.  '         313 

decease,  and  interest  on  the  same  after  payable,  to  wit :  (and  after 
paying  my  just  debts  and  the  charges  of  my  funeral)  I  give  to  my 
sister,  L^'dia  Mclntire,  the  sum  of  one  hundred  dollars. 

I  give  to  my  deceased  sister  Sarah  Dudley's  five  surviving  chil- 
dren as  follows  :  — 

To  Sarah  Dudley,  the  sum  of  sixteen  dollars  and  sixty-seven 
cents.  To  Samuel  Dudley,  Jr.,  the  sum  of  sixteen  dollars  and 
sixty-seven  cents.  To  Benjamin  Dudley,  the  sum  of  sixteen  dol- 
lars and  sixty-seven  cents.  To  Azubah  Adams,  wife  of  Oliver 
W.  Adams,  the  sum  of  twentj'-five  dollars.  To  Nelson  Dudley, 
the  sum  of  twenty-five  dollars.  And  in  case  there  shall  be  any 
surplus  left  of  said  collections  and  proceeds  of  the  sale  of  said 
personal  property,  after  paying  said  debts,  charges.  Legacies,  and 
charges  of  administration  or  execution  of  this  my  said  will,  I 
hereb}'  give  unto  Julia  Ann  Seism,  wife  of  Henry  Seism,  the  sum 
of  fifty  dollars,  or  the  whole  amount  of  said  surplus,  provided  it 
does  not  exceed  the  sum  of  fiftj^  dollars,  and  in  case  there  shall 
still  remain  an}'  surplus  after  pa3'ing  said  legacies,  debts  and 
charges,  including  the  legac}'  to  said  Julia  Ann,  it  is  my  will  that 
the  same  shall  be  equally  divided  between  Waldo  Wallis  above 
named,  and  Elb ridge  G.  Wallace,  after  deducting  the  following 
Legac}',  to  wit :  — 

I  give  to  Elbridge  G.  Wallace  the  sum  of  six  hundred  dollars. 

I  give  and  devise  unto  the  Inhabitants  of  said  town  of  Douglas 
and  their  successors  all  the  rest,  residue  and  remainder  of  my 
Real  Estate,  to  hold  to  them,  their  successors  and  assigns  forever, 
for  the  sole  exclusive  use  and  purpose  of  raising  a  fund  to  be  ap- 
plied to  and  for  the  express  uses  and  purposes  hereinafter  named, 
and  none  other  whatsoever,  and  said  Estate  to  be  managed  and 
disposed  of,  as  well  as  said  fund,  in  the  manner  I  hereby  order  and 
direct,  as  follows,  to  wit :  — 

I  hereby  order  and  direct  the  said  inhabitants  and  their  succes- 
sors (provided  they  accept  of  this  devise  to  them  in  six  months 
after  the  approval  of  this  my  said  Will  b^-  the  Probate  Court  of 
said  County),  by  their  agent  or  attorney  selected  for  that  purpose, 
by  the  legal  voters  of  said  Town,  in  Town  meeting  legalh'  called 
for  that  purpose,  to  enter  in  and  upon  all  of  said  Real  Estate 
devised  to  said  inhabitants,  and  the  same  to  sell  at  Public  Auction 
or  private  sale,  in  lots  or  otherwise,  as  said  Inhabitants  may  deter- 


314      ■  HISTORY   OF   DOUGLAS. 

mine  Avoiikl  be  most  for  the  benefit  of  said  Town,  and  good  and 
snfficient  Deed  or  Deeds  thereof  to  make,  execute  and  deliver  to 
tlie  purchaser  or  purchasers,  and  so  to  do,  finish  and  complete 
within  two  years  after  tlie  Probate  of  this  m}'  said  will,  and  the 
proceeds  of  said  sale  of  all  said  Real  Estate  devised  to  said  Inhab- 
itants and  their  successors,  shall  be  received  by  said  agent  or 
attorney,  or  other  person  dul}'  authorized  (1)}^  said  Inhabitants  or 
their  successors  for  that  purpose) ,  and  under  good  and  suflicient 
bonds  to  said  Inhabitants,  and  approved  by  the  Selectmen  for  the 
time  being  of  said  Town,  and  said  proceeds  so  received  I  order, 
and  direct  to  be  put  out  and  secured  on  interest  on  good  and  suffi- 
cient title  or  titles  to  Real  Estate  of  three  times  the  value  of  the 
amount  of  the  sum  loaned,  said  value  of  said  Real  Estate  mort- 
gaged to  secure  the  sum  or  sums  loaned,  to  be  ascertained  and 
determined  by  three  disinterested  freeholders  of  said  Town  (hav- 
ing no  other  interest  in  the  loaning  of  said  sum  or  sums,  or  the 
giving  of  the  title  or  titles  to  secure  the  payment  of  the  sums 
loaned,  than  that  in  common  with  said  Inhabitants  under  this 
devise) ,  to  be  selected  for  that  purpose  by  the  said  Inhabitants  and 
their  successors  at  a  legal  meeting  called  for  that  purpose  in  either 
of  the  months  of  March,  April  or  November  in  each  and  every 
year,  so  long  as  there  shall  be  any  of  said  proceeds  of  said  sale  or 
sums  growing  out  of  the  same  from  the  interest  thereof  to  be 
loaned,  and  also  as  often  as  it  will  be  necessary  to  change  the 
-security  from  the  foreclosing  of  the  mortgage  or  mortgages,  and 
selling  said  mortgaged  estates,  to  the  end  that  said  sum  or  sums 
shall  be  on  interest  for  the  benefit  of  said  Town,  according  to  the 
intent  and  meaning  of  this  devise,  and  that  no  one  person  shall 
receive  by  loan  as  aforesaid  a  larger  sum  than  five  hundred  dol- 
lars out  of  said  proceeds  or  the  interest  which  may  thereon  accrue 
during  the  time  the  said  proceeds  shall  be  kept  out  for  the  benefit 
of  said  town.  And  the  said  proceeds,  so  loaned,  put  out  and 
secured  on  interest,  I  hereb}'  direct  shall  be  so  kept  on  interest,  to 
be  paid  annually  and  loaned  out  on  the  securitj'  aforesaid  annually, 
for  the  term  of  sixt}'  years  from  the  time  of  the  sale  aforesaid, 
after  deducting  from  said  interest  annunlly,  as  the  same  are 
Incurred,  the  amount  of  the  reasonable  charges  for  taking  the 
charge  and  care  of  said  fund,  of  such  person  or  persons  as  said 
Town   may    select   for   that   purpose,    including   the   fee   of  the 


THE    M0SE8    WALLACE    DEVISE.  315 

appraisers  of  the  Estate  mortgaged.  I  order  and  direct  that  at  the 
•expiration  of  said  term  of  sixt}^  j-ears  the  said  proceeds  of  said 
Real  Estate,  witli  all  the  interest  and  compound  interest  which  may 
have  been  collected  and  secured  on  interest  as  aforesaid  (after 
deducting  as  aforesaid  said  charges  and  fee) ,  shall  be  so  forever 
thereafter  kept  on  interest  to  be  paid  annually,  the  said  annual 
interest  after  the  expiration  of  said  term  shall  first  be  applied  to 
the  building  of  a  good  and  durable  town  Hall,  with  galleries  upon 
three  sides  of  it,  with  a  good  clock  and  bell  attached  to  it,  and 
■sufficiently  large  to  accommodate  said  Inhabitants  in  the  transac- 
tion of  town  business,  and  with  the  letters  M.  AV.  enscribed  in 
gilt  in  some  conspicuous  place  upon  the  wall  at  the  head  of  said 
hall,  the  wliole  expense  whereof  not  to  exceed  twelve  thousand 
dollars,  which  hall  shall  at  all  times  be  open  and  free  for  all  Lec- 
tures, discourses  and  discussions  upon  the  subject  of  politics  and 
religion,  not  interfering  with  said  Inhabitants  in  the  transaction  of 
an}'  town  business. 

And  after  said  annual  interest  shall  have  paid  and  discharged 
the  expense  of  the  building  of  said  hall,  so  much  of  said  interest 
thereafter  accruing  as  shall  be  necessary  to  keep  said  hall,  clock 
■and  bell  in  repair,  shall  be  expended  for  that  purpose  so  long  as 
«aid  building  shall  stand  (and  in  case  said  hall  should  be  destroyed 
by  fire,  or  otherwise,  it  is  my  desire  that  it  be  rebuilt  out  of  said 
annual  interest  thereafter  accruing) ,  and  in  case  there  shall  be  any 
surplus  left  of  said  annual  interest,  after  discharging  the  expense 
•of  building  said  hall  and  keei)ing  the  same  in  repair  as  aforesaid, 
it  is  ni}'  will  that  the  same  shall  tirst  be  applied  for  the  support  of 
the  Paupers  of  said  town,  and  in  case  after  supporting  said  Pau- 
pers there  shall  still  a  surplus  remain  unexpended,  the  same  shall 
be  applied  to  the  Public  Highways  of  said  Town  of  Douglas,  and 
so  forever  after  the  building  of  said  hall,  subject  onl}',  in  the 
■destruction  of  the  first  aforesaid  hall,  of  rebuilding  as  aforesaid, 
and  the  expense  of  taking  the  care  and  charge  of  said  fund,  as 
herein  before  named,  said  hall  to  be  located  in  the  most  central 
and  convenient  place  to  accommodate  said  Inhabitants. 

And  in  cas<,^  said  Inhabitants  shall,  for  the  space  of  six  months 
after  the  approval  of  this  my  last  will  by  the  Probate  Court  as 
aforesaid,  neglect  or  refuse  to  accept  of  this  devise  to  them,  and 
do  not  accept  of  the  same,  by  a  vote  taken  in  Town  meeting  (to 


316  HISTORY   OP   DOUGLAS. 

that  effect)  and  called  for  that  purpose,  then  this  devise  to  theni 
shall  become  null  and  void.  Then,  in  that  case,  I  give  and  devise 
the  same  Real  Estate  I  herein  before  devised  to  said  Inhabitants 
wnto  Elbridge  G.  Wallace,  to  hold  for  and  during  the  term  of  his 
natural  life.  It  is  my  will  that  said  Inhabitants  take  the  profit 
and  income  of  the  Estate  devised  to  them,  from  my  decease  until 
sold  as  aforesaid,  in  case  the}'  accept  of  said  devise,  and  not 
otherwise. 

I  give  and  devise  nnto  the  male  children  of  my  brothers,  Peter, 
Benjamin  and  Joseph,  all  the  rest,  residue  and  remainder  of  all 
the  Real  p]state  above  devised  to  said  Elbridge  (in  case  said  In- 
habitants do  not  accept  of  the  devise  to  them  as  aforesaid),  to  be 
equall}'  divided  between  them,  except  Dexter  Wallis  and  Mason 
Walhs,  sons  of  my  brother  Joseph,  who  it  is  my  will  shall  take 
nothing  by  this  devise.  And  I  hereby  nominate,  constitute  and 
appoint  my  brother,  Benjamin  Wallis,  sole  Executor  of  this  my 
last  will  and  testament. 

In  witness  whereof  I,  Moses  Wallis,  have  hereunto  set  mj' 
hand  and  seal,  and  publish  and  declare  this  to  be  my  last  will  and 
testament,  this  sixteenth  day  of  November  in  A.  D.  1841. 

The  words,  "  in  my  north  chamber,"  interlined  between  the  24th 
and  25th  lines  from  the  top  on  page  3,  and  the  erasure  between  the 
last  word  on  page  4  and  the  first  word  "given"  on  page  5,  and 
the  word  "  s'd,"  interlined  between  the  14th  and  15th  lines  from  the 
top  on  page  6,  and  the  words  "no  one,"  interlined  between  the 
26th  and  27th  lines  of  page  6,  and  the  erasure  directly  under  said 
words  "  no  one,"  in  line  27  on  page  6,  and  the  erasure  of  the  first 
word  in  line  28  of  page  6,  from  the  top,  were  all  made  before 
signing  and  sealing  of  this  instrument. 

MOSES  WALLIS,   (l.  s.) 

Signed,  sealed,  published  and  declared  b}'  the  said  Moses 
Wallis,  as  his  last  will  and  testament,  in  the  presence  of  us  who, 
in  his  presence  and  at  his  request,  have  hereunto  set  our  names  as 
witnesses. 

AMOS  HUMES, 
ELIJAH  BIGLOW, 

A  copy,  WARREN  HUMES. 

Attest,  CHAS.  G.  PRENTISS,  Beg. 


APPENDIX. 


HAViN(i  already  stated  the  action  taken  b}-  onr  town  in  the 
suppression  of  tlie  War  of  the  Rebellion,  and  placed  on  record  the 
names  of  Douglas  men  who  had  the  courage  to  fight,  and  to  die  if 
need  be,  in  the  defense  of  their  country',  it  seems  but  fitting,  in  a 
work  of  this  kind,  to  make  a  permanent  record  of  their  army  ex- 
periences during  the  four  years'  struggle.  For  this  purpose  we 
have  gathered  and  prepared  from  various  sources  the  following 
sketches  of  the  several  regiments,  endeavoring  to  bring  out  the 
prominent  points  in  the  history  of  each,  more  particularl}^  those 
in  which  our  town  was  largely  represented. 

By  way  of  introduction  we  will  make  a  brief  allusion  to  the 
early  Massachusetts  regiments  answering  the  first  call  of  the 
President  for  three  months'  men,  to  aid  in  suppressing  the  Rebel- 
lion. The  assault  upon  Fort  Sumpter  was  made  April  12,  1861, 
and  on  the  15th  of  Api-il  Governor  Andrew  received,  through  Sen- 
ator Henry  Wilson,  a  telegram  from  Washington  asking  for  twent}' 
companies  of  volunteers  to  be  sent  on  immediately.  In  the  course 
of  the  da}'  formal  requisitions  were  received  from  the  Secretary  of 
War  and  the  Adjutant-General  of  the  arni}^  for  two  full  regiments, 
upon  receipt  of  which  Governor  Andrew  caused  a  special  order  to 
be  immediately  issued  bj-  Adjutant-General  Schouler  requiring  the 
commanding  officers  of  the  Third,  Fourth,  Sixth  and  Eighth  INIilitia 
to  muster  the  regiments  under  their  command  in  uniform  on  Boston 
Common  forthwith,  in  answer  to  the  call  made  by  the  President, 
the  troops  to  go  to  AVashington. 

On  the  morning  of  the  following  day  the  troops  began  to  arrive 
in  Boston  from  the  towns  where  they  were  located  in  different  sec- 
tions of  the  State,  the  Third  Regiment  coming  from  New  Bed- 
ford, the  Fourth  from  Quincy,  the  Sixth  from  Pepperell,  and  the 


318  HISTORY   OF   DOUGLAS, 

Eighth  from  Lynn.     Before  night  ever}-  company  that  had  received 
its  orders  in  time  had  reported  at  headquarters  for  dutj-. 

The  question  as  to  who  can  claim  the  honor  of  first  reaching 
Boston  has  since  occasioned  some  controvers}'  among  military 
men,  but  is  conceded  hy  Adjutant-General  Schouler  to  the  three 
companies  of  the  Eighth  Regiment  belonging  to  Marblehead. 

While  the  troops  were  making  their  wa}^  to  Boston,-  with  all 
possible  dispatch,  another  telegram  was  received  from  Senator 
Wilson,  stating  that  Massachusetts  was  to  furnish  foiir  regiments. 
Accordingly  the  Fifth  Regiment  was  ordered  to  report,  and  Briga- 
dier-General Benjamin  F.  Butler  was,  on  the  17th,  detailed  to 
command  the  troops  (which  Avere  designated  as  the  Massachusetts- 
Brigade)  ,  and  established  his  temporary  headquarters  at  the  State 
House. 

On  the  afternoon  of  the  IGth  the  Third,  Fourth  and  Sixth 
Regiments  were  ready  to  proceed,  and  the  following  da}^  the  Sixth 
started  for  Washington,  passing  through  New  York  on  the  18th, 
and  early  on  the  morning  of  the  19th  proceeded  in  company  with 
a  portion  of  the  Seventh  Pennsjdvania,  on  that  memorable  march 
through  the  City  of  Baltimore,  in  which  they  were  assailed  by  an 
infuriated  mob  of  8,000  people,  resulting  in  the  kilUng  of  three 
and  wounding  of  thirty-eight  of  their  number. 

On  the  3d  of  May  the  President  issued  his  first  call  for  A-olun- 
teers  to  serve  for  three  j^ears,  or  during  the  war.  On  the  4th  of 
Ma}'  the  Secretar}^  of  War  issued  an  order  stating  the  number  of 
regiments  to  be  raised,  and  the  way  in  which  the}^  were  to  be  or- 
ganized. It  was,  however,  more  than  a  fortnight  after  the  Presi- 
dent's call  before  the  necessary  authority  was  granted  for  muster- 
ing them  into  the  service.  Nearly  ten  thousand  were  already  en- 
listed as  militia.  At  last,  on  the  22d  of  May,  Governor  Andrew 
received  a  letter  from  Secretary  Cameron,  permitting  Massachusetts 
to  furnish  six  regiments  of  three  years'  men. 

The  plan  of  organization  of  regiments,  as  prescribed  in  the  or- 
der issued  under  this  call,  was  as  follows  :  Each  regiment  was  to 
be  composed  of  ten  companies,  each  company  to  have  a  captain, 
two  lieutenants  and  ninet^^-eight  enlisted  men.  The  staff"  and 
field  oflRcers  of  a  regiment  were  to  consist  of  a  colonel,  lieutenant- 
colonel,  major,  adjutant,  quartermaster,  assistant  surgeon,  ser- 
geant-major, quartermaster-sergeant,  commissary-sergeant,  hospi- 


APPENDIX.  319* 

tal  steward,  two  principal  musicians,  and  a  band  of  twenty-four 
musicians.  This  plan  of  organizing  regiments  was  kept  up  dur- 
ing the  war,  excepting  that  the  regimental  bands  were  discon- 
tinued. 

In  order  that  there  might  not  be  a  repetition  in  numbering  the 
Third,  Fourth,  Fifth  and  Sixtli  (three  months'  regiments)  were  al- 
lowed to  retain  their  own  designations,  and  the  next  three  years'  regi- 
ment was  called  the  Seventh.  It  was  recruited  by  Colonel  Couch 
at  "Camp  Old  Colou}^,"  near  Taunton.  The  First  and  Second 
Regiments  were  included  in  the  six  selected  to  complete  the  requi- 
sition of  the  Secretary  of  War.  The  First  was  from  Camp  Cam- 
eron, in  North  Cambridge,  and  left  for  Washington  June  15, 
passing  through  Baltimore  June  17,  and  was  the  first  three  j'ears' 
regiment  that  reached  Washington. 

The  Second  was  recruited  by  Colonel  Gordon  and  officers  under 
his  command,  establishing  themselves  at  "  Camp  Andrew  "  in  West 
Roxbury,  leaving  for  the  seat  of  war  on  the  8th  of  July,  1861. 

The  Eighth  w^as  a  three  months'  regiment,  and  retained  its  orig- 
inal number,  and  the  next  three  years'  regiment  was  called  the 
Ninth.  It  was  composed  almost  entirely  of  men  of  Irish  birth, 
and  was  recruited  b}'  Colonel  Thomas  Case  on  Long  Island,  in 
Boston  harbor,  and  left  for  Washington  on  the  twent3--fourth  of 
June. 

The  Tenth  was  recruited  in  the  western  part  of  the  State,  was . 
in  camp  near  Springfield  for  a  time,  until  completely  organized, 
when  it  was  transferred  to  Medford,  remaining  there  until  Jul}'  25,. 
when  it  was  ordered  to  AVashington. 

ELEVENTH     REGIMENT     MASSACHUSETTS     VOLUNTEERS. 

This  regiment  was  organized  May  9,  1861,  at  Fort  Warren, 
and  mustered  into  the  service  of  the  United  States  June  13, 
marched  to  Camp  Cameron,  North  Cambridge,  June  15,  and  left  for  • 
Washington  June  24.  The  Eleventh  was  engaged  in  the  first 
battle  of  Bull  Run,  July  21,  1861,  and  during  the  3'ear  1862  at 
the  battles  on  the  Peninsula  and  before  Richmond,  second  Bull 
Run,  and  Fredericksburg.  It  left  the  State  under  the  command 
of  Colonel  George  Clark,  Jr.,  who  resigned  October  11,  1861,  and. 
was  succeeded  by  Colonel  William  Blaisdell.     The  following  nar— 


320  HISTORY   OF   DOUGLAS. 

rative,  furnished  b}'  Lieutenant-Colonel  Tripp,  gives  a  histor}'  of 
its  services  during  the  3^ear  18G3  :  — 

"  On  the  morning  of  the  11th  of  December,  1862,  in  obedience 
to  orders  from  superior  headquarters,  our  regiment  marched 
towards  the  Rappahannock  river,  crossed  the  river  at  Franklin's 
Crossing  on  the  night  of  the  12th,  and  was  detailed  to  guard  the 
pontoon  bridge  at  that  point ;  performed  this  duty  until  the  night 
of  the  13th  instant,  when  we  were  ordered  to  the  front ;  remained 
at  the  front  until  the  night  of  the  16th  instant,  when  we  recrossed 
the  river,  and  marched  back  to  the  old  camp.  During  this  cam- 
paign the  regiment  did  not  become  actively  engaged  with  the 
enem}';  the  only  casualties  were  two  men  slightly  wounded. 

"On  the  20th  of  January,  1863,  we  again  moved,  and  after 
marching  about  six  miles  in  a  drenching  rain-storm  we  were  com- 
pelled to  halt,  owing  to  the  bad  state  of  the  roads,  it  being  found 
impossible  to  move  the  trains.  We  remained  here  building  and 
.  repairing  roads  until  the  23d  instant,  when  we  marched  back  to 
camp.  Nothing  of  importance  transpired  until  the  5th  of  Febru- 
ary-, when  we  were  ordered  to  support  a  force  of  cavalry  which  was 
sent  to  destroy  a  bridge  across  the  Rappahannock  at  the  station 
above  United  States  Ford.  Marched  to  United  States  Ford,  a 
distance  of  seventeen  miles,  and  after  the  object  for  which  we 
were  sent  out  was  accomplished  we  returned  to  camp,  where  we 
arrived  on  the  7th. 

"  We  remained  in  camp  until  the  morning  of  the  29th  of  April, 
when  we  marched  to  Franklin's  Crossing,  on  the  Rappahannock, 
and  from  there  to  United  States  Ford,  where  we  crossed  the  river 
and  marched  to  Chancellorsville.  The  regiment  was  ordered  to 
report  to  General  Hancock  for  dut}' ;  reported  on  the  morning  of 
the  2d  of  May,  and  were  ordered  to  reconnoitre  and  feel  the  enemy's 
position  on  the  left  of  our  line  of  battle,  and  on  the  plank  road. 
The  regiment  Ijecame  hotly  engaged  with  the  enemy  earl}-  in  the 
day,  and  though  the  enemy's  force  was  greater  than  ours  we 
succeeded  in  repulsing  them  four  times  from  attacks  which  the}' 
made  on  our  position  on  the  plank  road.  General  Hancock 
thanked  the  regiment  for  the  gallantry  it  displayed  on  that  occa- 
sion. Next  morning  at  two  o'clock  joined  the  division,  became 
hotly  engaged  with  the  enemj-  earl}-  on  the  morning  of  the  3d 
instant,  suffering  considerable  loss  ;  we  remained  on  the  south  side 


APPENDIX.  321 

of  the  river  until  the  6th  instant,  when  we  recrossed  and  proceeded 
to  our  old  camp.  The  distance  marched  during  this  campaign 
was  about  forty-two  miles. 

Remained  in  camp  until  the  afternoon  of  the  11th  of  June, 
18G3,  when  we  were  ordered  to  march.  Marched  to  Hartwood 
Church,  and  halted  for  the  night.  Marched  to  Beverly  Ford  on 
the  Rappahannock,  and  after  remaining  here  one  day,  and  at  Gum 
Springs  five  days,  crossed  the  Potomac  into  Maryland  at  Edward's 
Ferry.  Moved  by  way  of  Poolesville,  Burkittsville,  Middleton, 
Frederick,  Tane3'town,  and  Emmettsburg,  reaching  Gettysburg  on 
the  afternoon  of  July  1st.  Was  engaged  with  the  enemy  during 
the  2d  and  od  instants,  with  a  ver}-  heavy  loss  (over  one-half  of 
what  was  engaged).  Remained  at  Gettysburg  until  the  morning  of 
the  7th  instant,  when  we  took  up  the  line  of  march  towards  Wil- 
liamsport,  moving  b}'  way  of  Emmettsburg,  Mechanicstown, 
Frederick,  and  Middleton.  Crossed  South  Mountain  to  Antietam 
Creek  near  Keedysville,  and  arrived  at  Williamsport  on  the  14th 
instant.  Here  we  found  the  eneni}'  had  retreated  across  the  river. 
Started  again  on  the  15th  of  July,  moving  in  the  direction  of 
Harper's  Ferry.  Crossed  the  Potomac  into  Virginia  at  this  point, 
and  moved  to  Upperville,  near  Ashby's  Gap.  Here  we  remained 
until  the  22d  instant,  when  we  again  started,  and  reached  Manassas 
Gap  about  noon  on  the  23d  instant.  Here  the  enemy  was  found 
in  force,  and  dispositions  made  for  a  battle.  This  regiment  was 
held  in  reserve,  and  did  not  become  engaged. 

During  the  night  the  enemy  evacuated,  and  in  the  morning  we 
were  started  in  pursuit,  chasing  him  as  far  as  Front  Ro3-al,  where 
we  found  he  had  crossed  the  river.  Marched  back  through  the 
Gap,  and  halted  for  the  night  at  Markham's  Station  on  the  Manas- 
sas Gap  Railroad.  Next  morning  took  up  the  line  of  march  for 
Warrenton,  where  we  arrived  on  the  26th  instant,  and  went  into 
camp.  Remained  here  until  the  morning  of  the  1st  of  August, 
when  we  marched  to  Beverly  Ford.  Arrived  there  the  same  night, 
and  went  into  camp.  During  this  campaign  the  regiment  marched 
four  hundred  and  ten  miles  in  a  hot  summer's  sun,  and  participated 
in  one  of  the  hardest  contested  battles  of  the  war. 

Remained  in  camp  near  Beverly  Ford,  furnishing  daily  details 
for  picket  and  other  duties,  until  the  15th  of  September,  when  we 
marched  to  Culpepper,  crossing  the  Rappahannock  river  at  Free- 
21 


322  HISTORY   OF   DOUGLAS. 

mail's  Ford,  arriving  at  Culpepper  on  the  morning  of  the  17th  in- 
stant, and  went  into  camp.  We  remained  in  this  camp  until  the 
morning  of  Oct.  8,  when  we  were  ordered  to  march  to  James  City 
and  support  Kilpatrick's  cavalry  division.  Reached  cavalry  head- 
quarters earl}'  in  the  da}',  and  remained  here  supporting  the  cav- 
ahy,  who  had  frequent  skirmishes  with  the  enemy,  until  the  night 
of  the  10th  instant,  when  we  marched  back  to  Culpepper.  Left 
Culpepper  next  morning,  and  recrossed  the  river  at  Freeman's 
Ford  on  the  night  of  the  12th  instant.  Remained  picketing  Bev- 
erly and  other  fords  on  that  river  till  such  time  as  the  army  had 
fallen  back.  The  enemy's  cavalry  made  their  appearance  near 
Beverly's  Ford,  but  did  not  attempt  to  cross.  Ordered  to  join  the 
division  on  the  morning  of  the  14th  instant.  After  marching  all 
day  and  night,  arrived  at  Greenwich  at  4  o'clock  a.  m.  on  the  15th 
instant.  Started  again  at  daybreak,  and  arrived  at  Centreville 
Heights  on  the  night  of  the  15th  instant.  Moved  to  Union  Mills, 
on  the  Orange  and  Alexandria  Railroad,  and  went  into  camp  at 
that  place  on  the  afternoon  of  the  16th  instant.  Distance  marched, 
since  leaving  Culpepper,  fifty-one  miles.  Broke  up  camp  at  Union 
Mills  on  the  morning  of  the  19th  of  October,  and  moved  up  the 
Orange  and  Alexandria  Railroad  to  Bristow's  Station,  where  we 
halted  for  the  night.  Next  morning  marched  through  Greenwich 
towards  Catlett's  Station,  and  halted  for  the  night  about  four  miles 
from  the  latter  place.  Arrived  at  Catlett's  Station  on  the  after- 
noon of  the  21st  instant,  and  went  into  camp.  The  regiment  was 
detailed  to  guard  a  supply-train  to  the  depot  at  Bristow's  Station 
and  back  to  camp.     Marched  twentj'-two  miles. 

Broke  camp  on  the  30th  instant,  and  marched  to  within  three 
miles  of  Bealton  Station,  where  we  encamped.  Remained  here 
until  the  morning  of  the  7th  of  November,  when  we  marched  to 
Kellej-'s  Ford  on  the  Rappahannock.  Arrived  there  about  3  o'clock 
p.  M.  Found  the  First  Division  of  this  corps  engaged  with  the 
enera3\  We  did  not  become  engaged.  Crossed  the  river  and 
moved  to  Brand}'  Station,  where  we  went  into  camp  on  the  evening 
of  the  8th  instant,  having  marched  twenty-three  miles  since  leav- 
ing camp  near  Bealton  Station. 

Remained  in  camp  near  Brandy  Station  until  the  morning  of 
the  26th  of  November,  when  we  marched  to  Jacob's  Mills  Ford, 
on  the  Rapidan.    Crossed  the  river  at  this  point,  and  bivouacked 


APPENDIX.  323 

for  the  night  about  three  miles  from  the  Ford,  having  marched  dur- 
ing the  da}'  seventeen  miles.  Next  morning  we  started  (after 
some  delay  in  finding  the  right  road) ,  and  encountered  the  enemy  at 
a  place  called  Locust  Grove.  We  became  engaged  with  the  enemy 
early  in  the  afternoon,  and  after  a  brisk  engagement,  which  lasted 
till  dark,  we  were  relieved  by  the  Third  Division,  Sixth  Corps. 
La}'  on  our  arms  during  the  night,  about  fift}^  yards  from  the  bat- 
tle-liold.  Moved  next  morning  to  Robinson's  Tavern,  and  the 
same  night  moved  up  to  a  position  near  "  Mine  Run,"  where  the 
enemy  was  found  in  an  intrenched  position.  After  marching  and 
^countermarching  through  the  woods  during  the  entire  day  of  the 
29th  instant  we  went  into  camp  for  the  night.  We  were  ordered 
to  report  to  General  Warren,  on  the  plank  road,  at  2  o'clock  a.  m. 
the  same  night.  Reported  at  4  o'clock  a.  m.,  and  foimed  line  of 
battle  in  front  of  the  enem3^'s  works.  We  were  in  the  line  of 
stormers  that  were  ordered  to  charge  the  enemy's  line  of  fortifica- 
tions. The  project  of  storming  the  works  was  abandoned.  On 
the  morning  of  Dec.  1  we  were  ordered  to  join  Gregg's  cavalry 
division,  and  act  as  rear-guard  on  the  plank  road.  Performed  this 
duty,  and  crossed  the  river,  on  our  way  back  to  camp,  near  Brandy 
Station,  Dec.  2,  1863.  Reached  camp  on  the  afternoon  of  the  3d 
of  December,  and  at  once  made  preparations  for  winter  quarters. 

REPORT    OF    CASUALTIES. 

Battle  of  Fredericksburg,  Va.,  December   11,   12,  13,  14  and 
15,  1862:  — 
Enlisted  men  —  Wounded,  ......         2 


Battle  of  Chancellorsville,  May  1,  2,  3  and  4,  1863 
■Commissioned  officers  —  Killed,   . 

Wounded, 
Enlisted  men  —  Killed, 

Wounded,    . 
Missing, 


2 

? 

9 
52 
11 


Battle  of  Gettysburg,  Pa.,  July  2  and  3,  1863  :  — 

Commissioned  officers — Killed,  .....  1 

Wounded,      .....  5 

Missing,        .....  2 


324  HISTORY    OF    DOUGLAS. 

Eulisted  men  —  Killed,       .......       25^ 

Wounded, 88 

Missing,    .......         8^ 

Battle  of  Locust  GroA^e,  Va.,  November  27,  1863  :  — 

Commissioned  officers  —  Wounded,      .....  2 

Enlisted  men  —  Killed,        .......  4 

Wounded,           ......  15> 

Missing,     .......  8 

One  commissioned  officer  and  eleven  enlisted  men  died  of 
wounds  receiv-ed  in  action  who  are  reported  wounded  in  the  above 
report. 

In  the  spring  of  1864  General  Grant,  having  been  called  to 
the  command  of  the  Union  forces,  and  the  campaign  against 
Richmond  being  planned,  the  Eleventh  was  again  brought  into- 
active  service,  and  suffered  severely-  in  the  bloody  battles  of  the 
Wilderness,  Spottsylvania,  before  Petersburg,  and  at  Hatches'  Run, 
Va.,  where  the  fighting  and  courage  exceeded  anj'thing  we  have 
recorded  in  previous  campaigns. 

On  the  1st  of  January-,  1865,  the  battalion  lay  in  the  works  in- 
front  of  Petersburg,  attached  to  the  Third  Brigade,  Third  Division, 
Second  Arm}'  Corps,  performing  picket  and  fatigue  duty  nntil  the 
5th  of  February,  when  it  took  part  in  a  movement  and  action 
designed  to  extend  the  lines.  The  regiment  assisted  in  the  con- 
struction of  a  new  line  of  works,  and  occupied  a  portion  of  them 
until  March  26.  On  the  29th  the  regiment  made  a  gallant  charge 
on  the  enemy's  main  line  of  works,  in  which  Captain  Bennett  and 
Lieutenant  Harrington,  with  a  number  of  men,  becoming  separated 
from  the  rest  of  the  command,  were  overpowered  and  captured. 

During  the  retreat  of  the  enemy,  which  soon  followed,  the 
Eleventh  took  an  active  part  in  the  capture  of  their  trains  and 
munitions  of  war,  and  was  in  the  advance  when  the  formal  surren- 
der of  the  "  Array  of  Northern  Virginia"  took  place.  The  regi- 
ment then  moved  to  the  vicinity  of  Washington,  D.  C,  and  per- 
formed light  guard  duty  until  orders  were  received  for  its  discharge 
at  Readville,  Mass.,  to  which  place  it  was  transported  and  dis- 
charged July  14. 

The  Eleventh  took  part  in  the  following  engagements :  First 
Bull  Run,  Yorktown,  Williamsburg,  Fair  Oaks,  Savage  Station, 


APPENDIX. 


325 


Glcndale,  Malvern  Hill,  Bristoe  Station,  Second  Bull  Run,  Chan- 
till}',  Fredericksburg,  Chancellorville,  Gettysburg,  Kelly's  Ford, 
Locust  Grove,  AVildcrncss,  Spottsylvania,  North  Anna,  Tolopo- 
tom}'.  Cold  Harbor,  Petersburg,  Strawberry  Plains,  Deep  Bottom, 
Poplar  Spring  Church,  and  Boydton  Road. 

FIFTEENTH    KEGIMEXT    MASSACHUSETTS    VOLUNTEERS. 

This  regiment  was  recruited  in  Worcester  county,  fourteen  of 
its  men  being  from  Douglas.  It  was  mustered  into  the  service  of 
the  United  States  June  12th,  18G1,  under  the  command  of  Col. 
Charles  Devens,  Jr.  The  regiment,  during  the  process  of  recruit- 
ing, organizing  and  drilling,  was  encamped  at  Camp  Scott  in  the 


PLA>-  OF  THE  BATTLE-FIELD  AT  BALL'S  BLUFF. 

city  of  Worcester,  from  which  place  they  left  for  Washington 
Aug.  8th,  1861.  The  Fifteenth  was  first  engaged  at  the  battle  of 
Ball's  Bluff,  Oct.  21st,  18G1,  which  made  it  one  of  the  marked 
regiments  of  Massachusetts.  The  loss  sustained  was  heavy  in 
tilled,  wounded  and  missing.  The  forces  engaaied  were  nnskill- 
fuUv  handled,  pressed  into  needless  danger,  surrounded  and  slaugh- 
ered.  The  following  account  of  the  traged}-  is  given  b}'  one  who 
witnessed  the  scene,  but  fortunately  escaped  by  swimming  the 
river  after  being  wounded  :  — 

"  About  1  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  October  21st  Colonel  Dev- 
>ens  crossed  the  Potomac  river  with  his  regiment  to  the  Virginia  shore, 


326  HISTORY   OF   DOUGLAS. 

and  ascended  the  heights  known  as  Ball's  Bluff,  a  steep  embank- 
ment rising  nearly  a  hundred  and  fift^'  feet  above  the  river  to  a  level 
with  the  adjacent  country.  By  daylight  he  had  formed  his  men 
on  the  summit  of  the  bluff.  A  company-  of  the  Twentieth,  under 
command  of  Colonel  Lee,  also  crossed  and  took  up  its  position 
near  by.  Scouts  were  sent  out  to  learn  the  position  of  the  rebels, 
but  discovered  no  traces  of  them.  Upon  advancing  towards  Lees- 
burg  they  were  met  bj'  a  body  of  rebel  infantry-,  and  soon  after 
rebel  cavalry  appeared  in  the  road  leading  to  Leesburg,  whereupon 
Colonel  Devens  fell  back  to  the  bluff,  where  he  remained  until  noon. 
The  men  were  formed  in  a  field  of  five  or  six  acres,  surrounded  on 
three  sides  by  woods,  being  attacked  by  the  eneni}^  who  had  sta- 
tioned themselves  in  the  woods  for  that  purpose.  He  fell  back 
again  to  the  ver}^  edge  of  the  bluff,  where  he  was  reinforced  by  a 
California  regiment.  Colonel  Baker,  who  assumed  command  of  the 
forces,  nearly  two  thousand  men  in  all. 

The  battle  was  now  fairl3'  begun,  and  for  more  than  two  hours 
■was  kept  up,  our  men  fighting  desperately  and  with  great  loss  of 
life  by  reason  of  the  unprotected  position  they  occupied.  About 
5  o'clock  Colonel  Baker  fell,  shot  through  the  head.  His  successor, 
Colonel  Cogswell,  made  an  attempt  to  cut  his  way  through  the 
enem3^'s  lines  to  Edward's  Ferry,  where  the  Union  forces  were  sta- 
tioned, but  was  overpowered,  and  under  a  most  destructive  fire 
retreated  down  the  embankment.  The  enemy  gathered  on  the  bluff, 
pouring  voile}'  after  A^olley  into  the  helpless  mass  below.  Many 
were  shot  on  the  bank,  or  in  the  water  while  attempting  to  swim 
across.  The  boats  were  overcrowded  and  sunk,  and  many  were 
carried  down  by  the  current  and  drowned  ;  others  were  fortunate 
enough  to  escape  in  the  darkness  unobserved,  and  reach  the  Union 
lines  safely," 

It  is  estimated  that  at  least  one-half  the  men  engaged  in  this 
battle  on  the  Union  side  were  either  killed,  wounded,  or  taken 
prisoners. 

The  Fifteenth  was  next  engaged  at  the  battles  on  the  Peninsula, 
and  afterwards  at  Antietara  and  Fredericksburg.  Colonel  Devens 
was  promoted  Brigadier-General  of  Volunteers,  and  left  the  regi- 
ment to  take  command  of  a  brigade  at  Yorktown.  He  was  suc- 
ceeded b}'  Colonel  (then  Lieutenant-Colonel)  George  H.  Ward. 


APPENDIX.  327 

The  regiment  went  into  winter  quarters  near  Falmouth,  Va., 
on  the  same  ground  occupied  by  it  previous  to  the  battle  of 
Fredericksburg,  about  the  20th  of  December,  18G2. 

On  the  5th  of  February,  18G3,  Colonel  Ward  joined  the  regi- 
ment, having  been  absent  (sutfering  from  the  loss  of  a  leg)  since 
the  battle  of  Ball's  Bluff,  October  21st,  1861.  The  regiment  was 
subjected  to  a  heavy  detail  for  picket  duty  during  the  winter  and 
spring,  nothing  worth}^  of  note  occurring  until  the  spring  cam- 
paign, under  General  Hooker,  commenced. 

On  the  2<sth  da^'  of  April  the  First  and  Third  Divisions  of  the 
Second  Corps  moved  towards  Kelly's  Ford,  leaving  the  Second 
Division  —  of  which  the  Fifteenth  regiment  formed  a  part  —  to 
picket  the  line  formerly  occupied  by  the  corps. 

On  Saturda}',  the  2d  of  May,  orders  came  to  the  Fifteenth  reg- 
iment about  12  o'clock  (midnight)  to  move.  The  regiment 
marched  to  the  Lacy  House,  and  at  a  little  before  sunrise  the 
Second  Division  crossed  the  Rappahannock  on  pontoon  bridges  — 
at  the  same  point  where  the  Second  Corps  crossed  in  December, 
1802  —  with  little  or  no  opposition,  the  rebel  pickets  having  beea 
principally  withdrawn  from  the  city  to  the  first  line  of  works^ 
The  Fifteenth  was  soon  after  directed  to  take  a  position  on  the 
extreme  right  of  the  First  Brigade,  and  commenced  moving  to  a 
point  on  the  right  of  the  city,  and  at  the  same  moment  the 
enem3''s  batteries  opened  from  three  different  points  with  solid 
shot  and  shell,  which  they  kept  up  while  the  regiment  was  going 
the  distance  of  half  a  mile.  At  the  same  time  this  movement 
was  going  on  the  enemy  were  hurrying  up  their  infantr}'  at  double- 
quick,  and  filling  the  rifle-pits  on  the  crest  of  the  hill  in  our  front, 
almost  in  rifle  range.  It  was  our  good  fortune  to  have  a  slight 
embankment  for  a  cover,  where  we  remained  for  two  hours,  until 
the  position  known  as  Mar3''s  Heights,  in  rear  of  the  famous 
bank-wall  rifle-pit  —  where  so  many  braAC  men  laid  down  their 
lives  at  the  first  battle  of  Fredericksburg  —  was  flanked  b}-  Gen- 
eral Sedgwick's  Sixth  Corps,  and  the  eneni}'  in  our  front  began  to 
fall  back.  A  canal,  some  thirt}'  feet  wide,  and  too  deep  to  ford^ 
prevented  our  advancing  directly'  in  front,  and  we  were  obliged  to 
return  to  the  city  before  doing  so.  During  the  time  we  had 
remained  there  the  enemj-  had  placed  two  guns  in  such  a  position 
on  the  bluff,  on  the  south  side  of  the  river,  that  the}'  had  an  enfi- 


328  HISTORY   OF    DOUGLAS. 

lading  fire  on  our  line  while  returning  to  the  city,  but,  either 
through  their  great  haste  to  join  their  fleeing  comrades,  or  bad 
practice,  they  did  us  little  harm  —  but  two  men  slightly  wounded 
during  the  whole  shelling.  After  following  up  the  enemy  two 
miles,  the  Second  Division  was  ordered  back  to  the  cit}'  —  the 
Fifteenth  to  the  north  bank  of  the  river,  supporting  battery  A, 
First  Rhode  Island  Artillery,  which  covered  the  pontoon  bridge, 
where  we  remained  until  the  following  daj^  about  dusk,  when 
companies  A,  B,  E  and  G  moved  into  the  rifle-pits  above  and 
below  the  bridge,  to  cover  its  removal. 

The  regiment  camped  near  the  banks  of  the  river  until  the  8th 
instant,  when  we  moved  half  a  mile  to  the  rear,  to  get  better 
gi'ound  for  camping  purposes.  Here  the  regiment  remained,  doing 
picket  duty  along  the  river,  until  Sunday,  the  14th  of  June,  when 
it  moved,  about  9  o'clock  p.  m.,  towards  Stafford  Court-house. 
After  going  three  miles  it  countermarched  and  returned  to  our  old 
camp,  and  bivouacked  until  3  a.  m.  of  the  loth,  when  it  again 
started,  passing  Stafford  Court-house  about  11  a.  m.  The  day 
was  excessively  hot,  and  the  roads  dustj^  and  a  great  portion  of 
the  way  leading  through  valleys  shut  out  from  air,  and  terribly 
exposed  to  the  hot  rays  of  the  sun,  which  told  fearfully  on  the 
men.     Halted  about  6  p.  m.  for  the  night. 

June  IG.  Moved  about  3  o'clock  a.  m.,  passing  Dumfries 
at  8,  and  arrived  at  the  Occoquan  river  about  sunset  —  being 
another  sultry  and  tedious  day.  Bivouacked  for  the  night. 
Moved,  the  17th,  at  8  o'clock,  and  arrived  at  Sangster's  Station, 
on  the  Orange  and  Alexandria  Railroad,  at  2  o'clock  p.  m.  Here 
the  regiment  went  into  camp,  and  remained  until  Frida}',  the  19th. 
Marched,  at  half-past  12  p.  m.  for  Centreville,  five  miles  distant, 
where  it  arrived  at  dark. 

June  20.  The  regiment  moved  to  Thoroughfare  Gap,  a  dis- 
tance of  eighteen  miles,  arriving  there  about  midnight,  after,  a 
tedious  march.  It  remained  there  until  the  25th.  Our  forces 
moved  towards  the  [Tpper  Potomac.  The  right  wing  of  the  regi- 
ment was  deployed  as  flankers,  covering  the  line  of  march,  which 
for  a  considerable  distance  was  harrassed  b}'  the  enem^^'s  cavalry 
and  art\ller3'.  One  man  of  the  regiment  was  wounded.  The 
bivouack  this  night  was  at  Gum  Springs,  fifteen  miles  from  Thor- 
oughfare Gap.  A  heavy  rain  rendered  the  marching  very  tire- 
some. 


APPENDIX.  329 

On  the  morning  of  the  2Gth  the  regiment  marched  to  Edward's 
Terry,  where,  after  many  wearisome  halts,  it  crossed  the  Potomac, 
'bivouacking  about  midnight  on  the  Maryland  bank  of  the  river. 
Distance  marched  about  ten  miles. 

On  the  27th  marched  about  3  p.  m.  liivouacked  at  11  p.  m., 
^near  Sugar-loaf  Mountain,  after  marching  a  distance  of  twelve 
miles.  Previous  to  this  march  the  following  order  was  read  to 
ithe  regiment :  — 


■'O' 


"  Headquarters  Second  Division,  Second  Corps,  1 
Edward's  Ferry,  Va.,  June  26tli,  1863.         ) 

IGENERAii  Orders,  No.  105.]  * 

The  Fifteenth  and  Nineteenth  Massachusetts  Volunteers,  for  march- 
ing to-day  in  the  best  and  most  compact  order,  and  with  the  least  strag- 
gling from  their  ranks,  are  excused  from  all  picket  duty  and  outside 
details  for  four  days. 

By  command  of  . 

Brigadier-General  GiBBOlf. 
J.  P.  Wood,  Captain  and  Assistant  Adjutant-General." 

June  28.  Marched  to  Frederick  City,  a  distance  of  eighteen 
miles. 

June  29.  Moved  at  8  a.  m.,  and  bivouacked  at  9  p.  m.  near 
Uniontown,  Md.,  after  accomplishing  a  march  of  thirty-three 
miles.  The  men  were  much  prostrated  by  this  terrible  tax  on 
their  endurance. 

Tuesday,  June  30.  The  regular  muster  for  pay  was  made,  and 
•the  order  of  General  Meade,  assuming  command  of  the  arm}', 
'published. 

Jul}'  1.  Started  at  8  a.  m.,  and  marched  to  Taney  town.  About 
•noon  heavy  cannonading  was  heard  to  the  northward.  The  troops 
•were  at  once  put  in  motion,  and  marched  rapidly  towards  the 
Pennsylvania  line,  under  stringent  orders  to  allow  no  man,  for  any 
'Cause,  to  fall  behind.  Bivouacked  at  night  behind  a  barricade  of 
Tails,  three  miles  south  of  Gettysburg.  Distance  marched  this  day 
:seventeen  miles. 

Thursday,  July  2.  The  regiment  started  an  hour  before  day- 
light for  the  battle-field,  and  got  into  position  about  sunrise,  be- 
hind Cemetery  Ridge,  where  a  large  portion  of  the  Second  Corps 
was  massed.     Though  there  was  constant  skirmishing,  no  demon- 


330  HISTORY   OF   DOUGLAS. 

stration  of  any  importance  was  made  from  either  side  until  about 
1  V.  M.,  when  the  enemy  opened  fire  with  artillery  on  the  Second 
Corps,  bursting  their  shells  with  great  accuracy  over  its  position. 
The  Fifteenth,  with  another  regiment  of  the  brigade,  was  now 
moved  out  to  position  full  three  hundred  A'ards  in  front  of  the  main 
line.  Here  a  barricade  of  rails  was  hastil}-  thrown  up.  About 
sunset  the  enemy  made  a  furious  assault  upon  our  lines.  Having 
driven  in  the  Third  Corps,  the}-  speedily  gained  the  flank  of  this 
advanced  detachment  of  the  Second.  The  batteries  on  the  ridge 
opened  on  their  advance  with  grape  and  case-shot,  but  through 
some  deplorable  mistake  most  of  the  shots  fell  short,  and  tore 
with  destructive  effect  through  the  ranks  of  the  Fifteenth.  Ex- 
posed thus  to  a  fire  in  front,  flank  and  rear,  the  regiment  was 
forced,  after  considerable  loss,  to  fall  back  to  the  position  behind 
the  ridge.     The  regiment  bivouacked  on  the  battle-field. 

On  Friday,  Jul}-  3,  the  rebels  opened  on  our  lines  with  over  a 
hundred  pieces  of  artillerj',  at  about  1  r.  m.  This  terrible  fire  was 
continued  for  over  two  hours,  but,  though  the  air  seemed  filled 
with  the  fragments  of  bursting  shells,  comparativel}'  little  dam- 
age was  done.  At  3  p.  m.  the  rebel  infantry  moved  to  the  as- 
sault. Our  men  sprang  promptly  to  meet  them,  glad  at  a  prospect 
of  work  —  relieving  them  from  their  painful  recumbent  position, 
which  a  broiling  sun  rendered  the  more  intolerable.  Tliis  contest 
lasted  an  hour  or  two,  during  which  both  armies  showed  a  deter- 
mination to  hold  its  ground,  regardless  of  the  results.  A  slight 
wavering  of  the  rebel  line  was  detected,  and,  at  the  suggestion  of 
Colonel  Hall,  commanding  Third  Brigade,  the  colors  of  the  Fif- 
teenth were  ordered  to  advance,  when  the  remnant  of  the  regiment 
rallied  promptly  around  them,  and  the  whole  line,  as  if  moved  by 
one  impulse,  rushed  forward  and  carried  the  position.  The  regi- 
ment was  sent  out  to  picket  the  field,  and  at  daylight  on  the 
morning  of  the  4th  skirmishing  commenced,  and  continued  until 
the  regiment  was  relieved,  at  8  o'clock.  The  regiment  went  into 
action  with  18  officers  and  221  enlisted  men.  During  the  three 
days  it  lost  3  officers  (Colonel  Ward  and  Captains  Murkland  and 
Jorgensen)  killed,  and  8  officers  wounded,  and  19  enlisted  men 
killed  and  85  wounded  —  many  of  whom  have  since  died.  Satur- 
day', July  4,  was  spent  on  the  field. 

At  2  p.  M.,  Sunday,  Jul}'  5th,  the  regiment  left  the   battle- 


APPENDIX.  331 

ground  and  marched  to  Two  Taverns,  a  distance  of  six  miles, 
where  it  remained  until  the  morning  of  the  7th,  when  it  moved 
five  miles  further  to  Tane3-town.  Leaving  Taney  town  on  the  8th, 
in  a  pouring  rain,  the  march  was  continued  over  horrible  roads, 
through  Woodsborough  to  the  neighborhood  of  Frederick  Cit}',  a 
distance  of  eighteen  miles.  On  this  march  the  dispatch  announc- 
ing the  capture  of  Vicksburg  was  published  to  the  troops,  and 
was  received  with  the  greatest  enthusiasm. 

July  9,  the  march  was  resumed  at  an  early  hour.  Crossed  South 
Mountain  at  Crampton's  Gap.  Bivouacked  at  9  p.  m.  Distance 
marched,  twenty  miles. 

Jul}-  10,  marched  to  the  vicinity  of  Antietam  battle-field,  a  dis- 
tance of  eight  miles. 

Jul}'  11,  moved  three  or  four  miles,  to  a  point  near  Hagerstown. 

On  the  12th  the  regiment  took  its  position  in  the  line  of  the 
Second  Corps  in  front  of  the  enem}-,  and  built  a  strong  breast- 
work of  earth  and  logs,  behind  which  it  lay  until  the  morning  of 
the  14th,  when,  the  enemy  having  retreated  across  the  river,  our 
forces  moved  up  and  occupied  Williamsport. 

On  the  15th  the  regiment  marched  to  Sharpsburg,  and  from 
thence  by  the  "  tow-path"  to  the  vicinity  of  Sandy  Hook,  a  dis- 
tance of  seventeen  miles. 

July  16,  moved  about  five  miles  to  Pleasant  Valle}-,  and  camped 
until  the  18th,  when,  crossing  the  Potomac  and  Shenandoah  rivers 
at  Harper's  Feny,  the  line  of  march  was  taken  up  down  Loudon 
Valley,  over  the  same  ground  traveled  in  the  fall  campaign  of  the 
previous  j-ear.     Distance  marched  this  da}-  ten  miles. 

July  19,  moved  about  eight  miles,  to  the  vicinity  of  Snicker's 
Gap. 

July  20,  moved  to  Bloomfield,  six  miles,  at  which  place  a  halt 
was  made  until  the  22d,  when  the  march  was  continued  to  Ashby's 
Gap,  a  distance  of  eleven  miles. 

On  the  23d  moved  to  Markham  Station,  on  the  Manassas  Gap 
Railroad.  Here  a  halt  of  some  hours  was  made.  Meantime  a  por- 
tion of  the  Third  Corps,  having  become  engaged  with  the  enemy  at 
Manassas  Gap,  the  Second  Corps  was  started  to  their  assistance. 
Hurrying  as  fast  as  possible  over  paths  frightfully  rough,  it  reached 
the  scene  of  conflict  about  midnight,  when  the  exhausted  men 
were  allowed  to  make  coffee  and  to  bivouac  for  the  remainder  of 
the  night.     Distance  marched  this  day  seventeen  miles. 


332  HISTORY   OF    DOUGLAS. 

On  the  24th  the  rebels  having  retreated,  our  forces  began  to 
move  out  of  the  Gap.  The  Fifteenth  bivouacked  at  Markham 
•Station,  five  miles  back. 

On  the  25th  marched  to  White  Plains,  a  distance  of  twenty 
miles,  and  continuing  the  march  on  the  26th,  via  Warrenton  to  the 
Junction,  a  distance  of  twenty-three  miles,  went  into  camp  near 
the  latter  place.  Here  the  regiment  remained  until  the  3()th. 
"Tents  were  struck  at  6  o'clock  p.  m.,  and  the  corps  moved 
towards  Morris ville.  Being  the  rear-guard  of  trains,  our  move- 
ments were  necessarily  very  slow,  making  but  five  miles  before 
2  o'clock  A.  M.  of  the  31st.  Bivouacked  by  the  roadside  until 
morning.  Moved  again  about  9  a.  m.,  and  reached  Morrisville  at 
5  p.  M.,  and  encamped  in  the  woods.     Weather  very  hot. 

August  4,  moved  one  mile  toward  Bealton  Station,  for  the  pur- 
,pose  of  getting  better  ground  for  camping  purposes.  Weather 
■  excessivel}'  hot. 

August  15,  received  one  hundred  and  seventy-nine  recruits 
iinderthe  "  Conscript  Act." 

August  18,  again  changed  our  camping  ground  by  moving 
about  one  mile  in  a  northerly  direction,  these  camps  being  known 
-as  "  Camp  near  Morrisville." 

August  30,  orders  came  for  the  regiment  to  be  read}'  to  move 
.at  3  o'clock  A.  M.  of  the  31st.  The  Second  Corps  marched  at 
that  hour  toward  Falmouth,  Virginia,  to  guard  the  fords  along  the 
Rappahannock,  while  the  cavalry  force,  with  flying  artillery  under 
General  Kilpatrick,  moved  farther  down,  to  destroy  two  small  gun- 
boats in  the  river,  captured  by  the  enemy  two  da3's  before.  The 
regiment,  with  the  rest  of  the  Second  Division,  went  to  Banks'  Ford, 
arriving  there  about  sunset.  Distance  marched,  twent}'  miles. 
Remained  at  this  point  until  September  3d,  when,  the  object  of  the 
movement  having  been  successfully  accomplished,  namely,  the 
destruction  of  the  gunboats,  we  took  up  the  line  of  march  for  our 
■camp  at  Morrisville,  at  half-past  6  o'clock  r.  m.,  which  place  was 
reached  at  2  o'clock  a.  m.  of  September  4th. 

September  12,  the  regiment  broke  camp  at  10  o'clock  a.  m., 
and  with  the  rest  of  the  Second  Corps  marched  to  Bealton  Sta- 
tion, and  bivouacked  near  the  railroad. 

September  13,  ver}'  rainy  in  foi-enoon.  The  regiment  moved 
•at  7  a.  m.,  and  crossed  the  Rappahannock  at  Rappahannock  Sta- 


APPENDIX.  83S 

tion,  the  Second  Corps  being  a  support  to  the  cavalary,  which 
iras  advancing  towards  Culpepper  Court-house,  which  place  we 
reached  at  4  o'clock  p.  m.  Remained  here  until  the  16th,  when 
the  regiment  moved  out  through  the  town  one  mile  and  a  half  in 
a  westerl}'  direction,  and  was  directed  to  go  into  camp.  All  the 
while  rapid  cannonading  was  distinctly  heard  towards  Raccoon 
Ford,  on  the  Rapidan  river.  The  men  had  scarcely  got  their 
tents  pitched  when  orders  came  to  be  ready  to  move  at  a  mo- 
ment's notice.  Every  man  laid  himself  down  that  night  with  the 
feeling  that  he  would  be  called  upon  to  meet  the  enem^'  on  the 
anniversary  of  the  blood}'  battle  of  Antietam. 

September  17,  orders  came  to  move  at  5  o'clock  a.  m.,  when 
the  regiment  moved  towards  Raccoon  Ford,  where  it  arrived 
about  noon.  The  Second  Corps  relieved  the  cavaby,  and  picketed 
along  the  river  from  the  Ford  to  Cedar  Mountain,  this  regiment 
being  situated  opposite  Robinson's  Ford.  For  several  days  the 
enemy  kept  up  a  constant  fire  on  our  pickets,  whenever  exposed 
to  view,  themselves  being  concealed  among  the  scrub-oaks  on  the 
bluff  on  the  south  side  of  the  river.  They  seemed  to  take  the  oc- 
casion of  our  relieving  pickets  to  fire  upon  us,  which  compelled 
our  men  to  deploy  and  reach  their  position  at  the  double-quick. 

October  5,  the  Second  Corps  was  relieved  by  the  Sixth  Corps, 
and  the  regiment  marched  on  the  6th  back  to  Culpepper,  and 
encamped  about  a  mile  north  of  the  town. 

October  10,  orders  were  received  about  noon  to  strike  tents 
immediatel}',  and  the  regiment  had  scarcely  got  packed  up  whea 
the  bugle  sounded  the  "  assembly."  Lines  were  formed,  and  we 
marched  out  some  four  miles  west  of  the  ground  occupied,  and 
formed  a  line  of  battle  along  a  piece  of  woods,  stacked  arms,  and 
bivouacked  in  rear  of  the  stacks. 

October  11,  turned  out  at  half-past  1  a.  m.,  and  moved  at  2 
o'clock  via  Brand}'  Station  to  Rappahannock  Station.  Re- 
crossed  the  river  about  noon,  and  moved  out  one  mile  north  of 
Bealton  Station. 

October  12,  the  regiment  received  orders  at  1  o'clock  p.  m. 
to  move  immediately.  Proceeded  back  to  Rappahannock  Station, 
and  again  crossed  the  river,  and  moved  in  line  of  battle  to 
within  some  two  miles  of  Brandy  Station.  Halted  at  sunset,  and 
bivouacked.      At   12   o'clock  (midnight)  the   regiment  received 


834  HISTORY    OF    DOUGLAS. 

orders  to  turn  out  and  move  at  once.  Again  marched  back  to 
Rappahannock  Station,  recrossed  the  river,  and  took  up  a  line 
of  march  via  Bealton  Station  towards  Sulphur  Springs,  where 
our  cavahy  had  been  repulsed  the  day  previous  by  the  enemy's 
infantry.  Arrived  within  about  two  miles  of  that  place  at  7  o'clock 
A.  M.,  when  the  Second  Corps  was  massed  b^'  divisions,  stacked 
arms,  and  rested  till  about  noon,  when  the  regiment,  together  with 
the  rest  of  the  corps,  moved  towards  Warrenton  Junction,  which 
place  was  reached  about  dark,  and  bivouacked  for  the  night,  to 
enable  the  baggage  trains  to  get  well  out  of  the  way,  that  they 
might  not  interfere  with  the  march  of  the  troops. 

October  14,  moved  at  5  o'clock  a.  m.  for  Manassas  Junction. 
While   passing   near   Auburn    the    enem}'    attacked    the    Third 
Division  of  the  Second  Corps ;  still  the  column  pressed  on,  this 
regiment   marching   as   flankers  for   the  First  Brigade,   until   it 
reached  Catlett's  Station.     Here  a  halt  was  made  for  coffee,  and 
the   column  moved  on,  the  cavalry  skirmishing  with  the  enemy  in 
the   rear.     When  near  Bristow  Station  the  head  of  the  column 
(this  regiment  being  second  in  line)  was  attacked  by  the  enemy's 
infantry  and  artillery,  and  our  line  of  battle  formed,  under  a  sharp 
fire,  along  the  embankment  of  the  railroad.    We  were  hotly  engaged 
for  about  an  hour,  repulsing  the  enemy  with  heavy  loss  to  them, 
and  comparatively  light  to  this  regiment.     Its  total  loss  was  one 
oflficer  (Lietenant  Charles  H.    Stevens)  mortall}'  wounded  (who 
has  since  died),  and  two  enlisted  men  killed,  nine  wounded,   and 
two  missing.      Remained  in  this  position  until  9  o'clock  p.  m., 
when  the  regiment  moved  on  via  Manassas  Junction,  fording  Bull 
Run  at  3  o'clock  a.  m.  of  the  15th.      Bivouacked  on  the  north  bank 
until  daylight,  when  the  regiment  moved  to  the  right,  to  a  point 
one  mile  and  a  half  from  Centreville,  and  formed  a  line  of  battle. 
The  pickets  of  the  regiment  were  engaged  with  those  of  the  enemy 
for  the  greater  portion  of  the  day,  and  the  regiment  exposed  to 
the  fire  of  their  batteries,   but  no   casualties  occurred.     Towards 
night  tents  were  pitched,  and  the  men  directed  to  make  themselves 
as  comfortable  as  possible. 

October  19.  The  regiment  moved  at  7  o'clock  a.  m.  via 
Manassas  Junction,  and  halted  about  2  p.  m.,  one  and  a  half 
miles  north  of  Bristow  Station,  and  bivouacked  at  night. 

Marched  at  6  a.  m.,  October  20th,  towards  Gainesville,  fording 


APPENDIX.  335 

Broad  Run  at  two  different  points,  and,  later  in  the  day.  Muddy 
Run  and  Kettle  Run.  Reached  Auburn  at  sunset,  and  bivouacked 
in  the  woods,  near  the  point  where  a  pai-t  of  the  Second  Corps  was 
attacked  on  the  14th.  The  regiment  pitched  tents  the  day  follow- 
ing, and  remained  here  till  the  23d.  Marched  at  7  a.  m.  to  within 
two  miles  of  Warrenton,  and  went  into  camp  along  the  Warrenton 
Branch  Railroad.  Here  the  men  commenced  building  log-houses, 
-and  in  some  cases  completed  them,  but  were  allowed  to  enjoy 
them  but  a  short  time,  for  on  the  7th  of  November  the  regiment 
moved  at  5  o'clock  a.  m.  via  Warrenton  Junction  and  Bealton  to 
Kelly's  Ford,  on  the  Rappahannock.  Bivouacked  at  dark,  half  a 
mile  from  the  river.  This  was  one  of  the  hardest  marches,  for 
the  distance,  that  the  regiment  had  ever  experienced.  Many  of 
the  men  had  just  drawn  clothing,  which,  together  with  eight  da3'3' 
rations  and  rapid  marching  over  a  dusty  road,  told  on  their  strength 
severel}-,  although  the  distance  marched  was  but  about  twenty 
miles. 

November  8.  Turned  out  at  5  o'clock  a.  m.,  and  crossed  the 
river  on  pontoon  bridges  about  sunrise.  The  Second  Division 
advanced  in  line  of  battle,  b}'  brigade  (this  regiment  being  in  the 
second  line),  about  one  mile,  then  moved  in  a  westerly  direction 
some  three  miles,  halting  at  intervals,  while  our  skirmishers  were 
advancing  slowly.  At  4  o'clock  p.  m.  pitched  tents,  and  remained 
here  until  the  10th,  when  the  regiment  moved  some  two  and  a 
half  miles  west,  and  occupied  the  partially-built  barracks  of  the 
"Stonewall"  Brigade  of  the  rebel  General  Picket's  division. 
This  camp  was  known  as  "Camp  near  Brand}'  Station."  Re- 
mained here  till  November  24th.  Orders  came  the  night  previous 
to  march  at  5  a.  m.  The  regiment  moved  at  that  hour,  and  soon 
after  it  commenced  raining.  When  about  two  miles  out  it  rained 
in  torrents,  and  the  troops  were  ordered  back  to  camp. 

November  26.  Marching  orders  were  again  received,  and  the 
regiment  moved  at  0  o'clock  a.  ji.  and  proceeded  to  Germania 
Ford,  on  the  Rapidan  river.  Crossed  on  pontoon  bridges  at  4 
o'clock  p.  M.,  and  bivouacked  two  miles  from  the  south  bank. 

November  27.  Turned  out  at  5  o'clock  a.  m.,  and  marched  at 
sunrise,  making  a  rapid  march  to  Robertson's  Tavern,  a  dis- 
tance of  six  miles,  where  the  Second  Brigade  of  our  division  was 
already  skirmishing  with  the   enemy.     Almost  immediately   this 


836  HISTORY   OF   DOUGLAS. 

regiment  "was  deplo3"ed  as  skirmishers,  joining  on  the  right  of  the- 
Second  Brigade.     The  regiment  exchanged  but  few  shots  with  the- 
enemj'  for  some  two  hours,  when  orders  came  to  advance  our  line,, 
and  in  so  doing  the  right  and  center  became  briskly  engaged  — 
the  enemj'  at  once  throwing  forward  a  line  of  battle  which  com- 
pelled it  to  retire  to  its  original  position,  where,  with  the  help  of 
onr  supports,  we  held  them  in  check,  and  finally  drove  them  back.. 
In  this  skirmish  the  regiment  lost   two  officers  wounded  —  one 
mortally,   and    one   missing  (Lieutenant  -  Colonel   Joslin),  taken 
prisoner ;  nine  enlisted  men  were  wounded,  and  six  enlisted  men. 
missing.     The  regiment  was  again  ordered  to  advance  about  sun- 
set,  supported   by  a  line  of  battle,  to  open  the  road  by  which 
General  French,  of  the  Third  Corps,  was  expected  to  arrive,  in 
doing  which  it  received  two  volley's  from  the  enemy,  but  owing  to 
the  nature  of  the  ground   their  shots  went  harmlessly  over  our 
heads,  and   we  gained  the  desired  position,  where  we  remained, 
until  half-past  9  o'clock  p.  m.,  when  the  regiment  was  relieved, 
and  bivouacked  in  the  second  line  of  battle. 

November  28.     A  line  of  battle  was  formed  by  divisions,  and. 
advanced  (this  regiment  in  the  front  line)' about  one  and  a  quarter 
miles  through  the  woods,  when  we  came  up  to  their  fortifications.. 
Halted  and  stacked  arms,  and  remained  until  the  morning  of  the 
29th  (bivouacking  by  the  stacks),  when  the  regiment  moved  to  the 
left,  with  the  rest  of  the  Second  Corps,  to  a  point  some  three  miles 
below   White    Oak   Church.      Halted    at   3   o'clock   p.   m.,    and 
bivouacked  by  the  roadside- 
November  30.     Turned  out  at  2  o'clock  a.  m.,  and  moved  out 
in  front  of  the  fortifications,  which  the  Second  and  Third  Corps, 
and  one  division  of  the  Sixth  Corps,  expected  to  assault  at  8  a.  m. 
The  enemj',  having  anticipated  the  movement,  were  reinforced  to 
such  an  extent,  with  both  artillery  and  infantry,  that  the  assault 
was  abandoned  and  the  line  withdrawn,  after  dark,  about  half  a 
mile  to  the  rear. 

December  1.  The  regiment  laid  in  line  of  battle  most  of  the 
day,  and  at  7  p.  m.  was  ordered  to  relieve  another  regiment  of 
the  brigade  in  the  front  line,  and  at  9  o'clock  p.  m.  were  with- 
drawn and  marched  to  Eh^'s  Ford,  on  the  Rapidan,  which  place 
was  reached  about  8  o'clock  on  December  2d ;  crossed  on  pon- 
toon bridge  ;  halted  tamake  coffee  at  11  a.  m,,  and  moved  again^ 


APPENDIX.  337 

at  1  p.  ^i.,  and  reached  our  old  camp  near  Brandy  Station  at  9 
o'clock  p.  M.,  having  been  twenty-four  hours  on  the  march, 

December  5.  The  regiment  moved  to  a  position  one  mile  south 
of  iStevensburg. 

December  7.  Moved  back  about  one  mile  north  of  Stevens- 
burg,  camped  in  the  woods,  and  built  winter  quarters. 

In  the  spring  of  1864  the  Fifteenth  was  again  called  into 
active  service  on  the  ground  already  made  memorable  by  the 
events  of  the  last  campaign,  being  engaged  in  several  of  the  bat- 
tles between  the  Rapidan  and  Richmond. 

July  28,  1864.  The  regiment  was  mustered  out  of  the  service, 
and  those  soldiers  whose  terms  of  service  had  not  expired  were 
transferred  to  the  Twentieth  regiment. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  its  engagements  during  the  war : 
Ball's  Bluff,  Battles  of  the  Peninsula,  Antietam,  Fredericksburg, 
Chancellorsville,  Gettysburg,  Bristow's  Station,  Robertson's  Tav- 
ern, Wilderness,  Spottsylvania  Court-house,  Cold  Harbor,  and  all 
other  battles  from  the  Rapidan  to  Petersburg  in  which  the  Second 
Anny  Corps  were  engaged. 

The  casualties  to  Douglas  men  belonging  to  the  Fifteenth  were 
as  follows  :  Samuel  Siblej",  wounded  severel}^  in  the  leg  at  Ball's 
Bluff  during  the  early  part  of  the  fight  and  removed  in  a  flat-boat 
to  Harrison  Island  (which  was  then  occupied  by  the  Union  forces, 
and  where  a  temporary  hospital  had  been  established) ,  was  soon 
after  removed  to  Pooles^ille,  on  the  Maryland  side,  where  he  died 
November  6.  Thomas  A.  Southwick  was  also  wounded  in  the 
leg,  escaped  being  captured,  was  honorably  discharged  and  re- 
turned home.  Hiram  Ward  was  wounded  in  the  arm,  taken  pris- 
oner, and  confined  at  Libby  Prison,  Richmond,  four  months,  when 
he  was  exchanged  and  returned  to  his  regiment.  At  our  request 
he  has  furnished  a  brief  account  of  his  experiences  while  in  rebel- 
dom. 

After  being  captured  at  Ball's  Bluff  he  was  marched  with  nearly 
500  other  Union  prisoners  to  Manassas  Junction.  AVhile  resting 
from  their  fatiguing  march,  a  small  amount  of  corn  bread  and 
bacon  was  issued,  and  the  bo3-s,  not  having  tasted  food  since  go- 
ing into  action  on  the  morning  of  the  21st,  made  quick  work  of 
eating,  and  were  soon  ready  to  go  forward. 

The  trip  to  Riclmiond  was  made  in  coal  cars,  and  to  add  to 

22 


838  HISTORY    OF    DOUGLAS. 

their  other  misfortunes  it  began  to  rain.  Arriving  at  their  destina- 
tion and  leaving  the  cars,  they  were  marched  in  a  procession 
through  the  principal  streets  of  the  city  to  be  inspected  by  the 
people  who  turned  out  in  large  numbers,  crowding  the  sidewalks 
and  temporarj'  stagings  which  had  been  hastily  erected. 

It  soon  became  evident  that  the  news  of  their  defeat  had  pre- 
ceded thein.  General  ILvans,  commander  of  the  rebel  forces  at 
Ball's  Bluff,  in  his  dispatches  had  grossly  exaggerated  the  facts  by 
stating  that  he  had  driven /o»?'  times  their  number  from  the  soil  of 
Virginia,  and  killed  and  wounded  a  larger  number  than  there  were 
men  engaged  in  the  fight.  In  consequence  of  which  the  people 
wer3  inflated  with  an  inordinate  conceit  of  their  own  bravery  and 
contempt  for  what  they  believed  to  be  Yankee  cowardice.  This 
popular  feeling  was  openlv  expressed  all  along  the  line  of  march, 
until  they  reached  the  place  selected  for  their  temporar}-  confine- 
ment, a  large  building  formerly  used  as  a  tobacco  warehouse.  Here 
the}'  were  confined  for  a  short  time  and  then  transferred  to  Libby 
Prison,  where  for  two  months  the}'  were  not  allowed  a  change  of 
clothing,  and  for  the  first  three  months  slept  upon  the  bare  floor 
without  even  straw  to  lie  upon.  The  fourth  month  straw  was  pro- 
vided, which  greatly  increased  their  comfort.  During  this  time 
our  informant  witnessed  the  shooting  of  several  prisoners.  One 
moonlight  night  two  men  Avere  shot  and  instantly  killed  while 
standing  side  by  side  near  one  of  the  windows.  A  New  York  Zou- 
ave also  shared  a  similar  fixte  a  few  days  afterwards.  During 
most  of  this  time  the  prison  was  so  crowded  there  was  scarcely 
room  for  the  men  to  lie  down  at  night,  and  deaths  were  of  almost 
daily  occurrence. 

After  being  exchanged,  Mr.  Ward  rejoined  his  regiment  and 
entered  upon  active  service.  At  the  battle  of  Antietam  vSept.  17, 
1862,  was  badly  wounded  in  the  right  hand  ;  received  an  honorable 
discharge  Feb.  23,  1863,  and  returned  home. 

Benjamin  R.  Elliott  and  William  Oakes  were  also  wounded  at 
Antietam.  Harlan  Fairbanks,  corporal,  acting  sergeant,  was 
badly  wounded  in  the  leg  and  foot  at  the  battle  of  Fair  Oaks  or 
Seven  Pines,  near  Richmond  ;  was  brought  home  to  Douglas,  where 
he  gradually  recovered  from  his  wounds.  Sylvester  Oakes  was 
killed  by  a  cannon-ball  at  Fredericksburg.  His  brother,  Charles 
H.  Oakes  (enlisted  from  Grafton,)  was  in  the  same  company  and 
was  by  his  side  when  he  fell. 


APPENDIX.  339 

EIGnXEKNTH    REGIMENT    MASSACHUSETTS    VOLUNTEERS. 

This  regiment  was  from  Norfolk,  Bristol  and  Plymouth  counties, 
recruited  at  "Camp  Brighara,"  Readville,  and  left  for  Washington 
August  24,  1861. 

It  took  part  in  the  following  engagements :  Battles  of  the 
Peninsula,  Second  Bull  llun,  Shepardstown,  Fredericksburg, 
Chancelloi-sville,  Gettysburg,  Rappahanock  Station,  Wilderness, 
Spottsylvania,  Cold  Harbor,  Petersburg,  and  Weldon  Railroad. 
The  regiment  was  mustered  out  of  service  Sept.  2,  1864.  Those 
soldiers  whose  term  of  service  had  not  expired  at  that  date  were 
.ti'ansferred  to  the  Thirty-second  regiment. 

TWENTY-SECOND    REGIMENT   MASSACHUSETTS   VOLUNTEERS. 

This  was  known  as  Senator  Wilson's  regiment,  was  organized 
•at "  Camp  Schouler,"  Lynnfield,  and  left  the  State  on  the  8th  of 
October,  1861,  for  Washington.  It  was  recruited  under  the  direc- 
tion of  Hon.  Henry  Wilson,  who  was  commissioned  Colonel. 
Colonel  AVilson  having  resigned  Oct.  29,  1861,  he  was  succeeded 
by  Col.  Jesse  A.  Cove,  who  was  killed  before  Richmond  June  27, 
1862.  Colonel  Gove  was  succeeded  bj'  Col.  Charles  E.  Griswold, 
who  subsequently  resigned. 

The  regiment  was  engaged  in  the  following  battles  during  the 
war  :  Battles  before  Richmond,  Antietara,  Fredericksburg,  Chan- 
cellorsville,  Gettysburg,  Rappahanock  Station,  Wilderness,  Laurel 
Hill,  Spotts^'lvania,  Jericho  Ford,  Little  River,  Tolpotony,  Bethesda 
Church,  Shady  Grove  Church,  and  Petersburg. 

The  regiment  was  mustered  out  Oct.  17,  1864,  with  the  excep- 
tion of  Company  E,  which  was  mustered  out  Oct.  20,  1864.  Those 
men  whose  terms  of  service  had  not  expired  were  transferred  to  the 
Thirtj'-second  regiment. 

TWENTY-FOURTH    REGIMENT    MASSACHUSETTS  VOLUNTEERS. 

This  regiment  was  known  as  the  ' '  New  England  Guards  Regi- 
ment." It  was  recruited  b}^  Col.  Thomas  G.  Stephenson  at  "  Camp 
Massasoit,"  Readville,  and  left  for  Annapolis  on  the  9th  of  No- 
vember, 1861. 


340  HISTORY   OF   DOUGLAS. 

TWENTY-FIFTH    UEGIMBNT    MASSACHUSETTS    VOLUNTEERS. 

This  regiment  was  recruited  in  Worcester  county,  ttie  town  of 
Douglas  being  well  represented. 

The  regiment  left  the  camp  in  Worcester  for  Annapolis,  Mar}'- 
land,  Oct.  31,  18G1,  where  the}'  joined  the  Burnside  expedition, 
and  proceeded  to  North  Carolina.  They  took  part  in  all  the  prin- 
cipal engagements  in  that  State,  including  Roanoke  Island  and 
Newbern.  The  other  engagements  in  which  the  Twenty-fifth  bore 
a  part  were  Kingston,  Whitehall,  Goldsboro',  Port  Walthal, 
Arrowfield  Church,  Drury's  Bluff,  Cold  Harbor,  and  at  other  battles 
before  Richmond,  and  Wise's  Forks. 

The  casualties  to  Douglas  men  in  the  Twenty-fifth  were  as  fol- 
lows :  Lambert  B.  Simmons,  died  at  Newbern,  N.  C,  and  was 
the  first  soldier  brought  home  and  buried  with  militar}'  honors. 

Nathaniel  C.  Putnam  died  of  consumption  brought  on  b^-  expos-^ 
ure. 

Joseph  Albee  died  of  congestive  chills  at  Newbern,  N.  C,  and 
Jerrie  E.  Luther  at  the  same  place  of  congestion  of  the  brain. 

Thomas  M.  Magee,  wounded  in  the  side  b}-  a  grape-shot  while 
charging  the  enemy  at  Roanoke  Island ;  re-enlisted  in  the  Third 
Rhode  Island  Cavalr3\ 

Timoth}'  Magary  killed  in  the  battle  before  Petersburg.  Allen. 
R.  Hough,  died  of  typhoid  fever.  James  O.  and  Nathan  S.  Bart- 
lett,  killed  at  Cold  Harbor.  Orlando  Carpenter  died  from  wounds 
received  at  Cold  Harbor,  and  in  the  same  battle  George  A.  Glea- 
son  wounded  severely  ;  returned  home  and  gradually  recovered. 

Adjutant-General  Schouler,  in  his  report  for  1865,  speaks  of 
this  regiment  as  one  that  has  "always  and  ever}' where  sustained 
the  high  character  with  which  it  left  the  State,  and  has  vindicated 
the  honor  of  Massachusetts.  Its  colors  have  never  been  3'ielded  to 
the  enemy." 

TWENTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT    MASSACHUSETTS    VOIATNTEERS. 

This  regiment  was  raised  in  the  western  part  of  the  State,  and 
was  mustered  into  the  service  of  the  United  States  Sept.  20,  1861. 
They  left  the  State  November  2d,  same  3'ear,  and  proceeded  tO' 
Annapolis,  where  they  remained  in  camp  until  Jan.  G,  1862, 
when  they  sailed  for  North  Carolina  as  a  part  of  the  Burnside 
expedition .     The  regiment  took  part  in  the  principal  engagements. 


APPENDIX.  341 

in  North  Carolina,  including  the  capture  of  Roanoke  Island  and 
Ncwbern,  also  the  battles  at  Washington,  Gum  Swamp,  Walthal, 
Arrowfield  Church,  Drur3''s  Bluff,  Cold  Harbor,  and  other  battles 
Tsefore  Richmond,  and  Southwest  Creek.  The  main  part  of  the 
regiment  was  mustered  out  at  the  expiration  of  their  term  of  ser- 
vice, Sept.  27,  18G4,  while  the  balance,  composed  of  re-enlisted 
men  and  recruits  whose  terms  had  not  expired,  were  retained,  and 
'were  finally  mustered  out  June  26,  1865. 

Dr.  Franklin  L.  Hunt,  Assistant  Surgeon  in  the  Twenty- 
seventh,  was  killed  bj'  guerrillas  near  Little  Washington,  N.  C, 
Nov.  18,  1802,  while  riding  in  a  carriage  outside  the  picket  lines. 
Dr.  Hunt  was  the  son  of  Otis  W.  Hunt,  was  a  native  and  for  sev- 
eral 3'ears  a  resident  of  Douglas,  although  credited  on  the  quota 
•of  West  Boylston. 

TWENXy-EIGHTII    REGIMENT    MASSACHUSETTS    VOLUNTEERS. 

This  regiment,  composed  mostly  of  men  of  Irish  birth,  left 
Camp  Cameron,  Massachusetts,  Jan.  11,  1862,  and  proceeded 
to  Fort  Columbus,  New  York  Harbor.  On  the  14th  of  February 
the}'  left  for  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.  The  regiment  was  first  engaged 
at  Fort  Johnson,  James  Island,  S.  C.  They  evacuated  James 
Island  July  14.  On  the  3d  of  August,  1862,  the  Twenty-eighth 
sailed  from  Hilton  Head,  and  arrived  at  Aquia  Creek  August  6, 
where  they  joined  the  army  of  the  Potomac. 

They  afterwards  took  part  in  the  following-named  engagements  : 
Second  Bull  Run,  Chantilly,  South  Mountain,  Antietam,  Freder- 
icksburg, Chancellorsville,  Gettysburg,  Bristoe's  Station,  Mine 
Run,  Wilderness,  Po  River,  Spottsylvania,  Tolopoton}-,  Cold  Har- 
bor, Petersburg,  Strawberry  Plains,  Deep  Bottom,  Reams' Station, 
Petersburg,  and  South  Side  Railroad. 

The  five  who  enlisted  from  Douglas  in  the  Twenty-eighth  were 
members  of  the  Douglas  Band,  and  enlisted  as  musicians  in  the 
Regimental  Band,  twenty-four  pieces,  Samuel  Cary,  Leader. 

THIRTIETH    REGIMENT    MASSACHUSETTS    VOLUNTEERS. 

This  regiment  was  mustered  into  the  service  Jan.  4,  1862,  and 
left  the  State  Jan.  13,  1862.  It  was  engaged  in  the  following-named 
iDattles :  Vicksburg,  Baton  Rouge,  Plains  Store,  Port  Hudson, 
Donaldsonville,  Winchester,  Cedar  Creek,  and  Fisher's  Hill. 


342  HISTORY   OF   DOUGLAS. 

This  was  the  last  Massachusetts  regiment  to  return  from  the 
seat  of  war. 

THIRTY-THIRD    REGIMENT    MASSACHUSEITTS    VOLUNTEERS. 

This  regiment  was  mustered  into  the  service  of  the  United 
States  Aug.  13,  1862,  and  was  mustered  out  June  11,  1865. 

It  took  part  in  the  following-named  battles  :  Fredericksburg, 
Chancellors ville,  Beverly  Ford,  Gettysburg,  Lookout  Mountain, 
Missionar}'  Ridge,  and  the  battles  of  Sherman's  campaign. 

THIRTY-SIXTH    REGIMENT    MASSACHUSETTS    VOLUNTEERS. 

This  regiment  was  mustered  into  the  service  Aug.  30,  1862, 
and  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 

Its  battles  were  as  follows  :  Fredericksburg,  Vicksburg,  Jack- 
son, Blue  Springs,  Campbell  Station,  Siege  of  Knox  ville.  Wilder- 
ness, Spottsylvania,  North  Anna,  Cold  Harbor,  Petersburg,  Pop- 
lar Spring  Church,  and  Hatcher's  Run. 

The  following  were  the  casualties  to  Douglas  men  :  Leonard 
A.  Chapman,  instantly  killed  at  the  battle  before  Petersburg  July 
9,  1864.  In  a  battle  at  the  same  place  Oct.  2d,  1864,  Daniel  A. 
Burton  was  severely  wounded  by  a  shell  and  died  of  his  injuries. 
In  the  same  battle  Matthew  Hudson  was  instanth'  killed  by  the 
bursting  of  a  shell,  which  also  killed  three  others  and  wounded 
William  Mowiy ,  another  Douglas  man.  A  piece  of  this  same  shell 
struck  another  man  in  such  a  manner  as  to  strip  off'  his  coat,  tear- 
ing it  in  shreds,  but  leaving  him  uninjured. 

FIFTY-FIRST   REGIMENT    MASSACHUSETTS  VOLUNTEERS. 

This  regiment,  commanded  by  Col.  A.  B.  R.  Sprague,  was 
recruited  at  "  Camp  Wool,"  Worcester. 

The  regiment  embai'ked  at  Boston  on  the  afternoon  of  Nov.  25, 
1862,  on  board  United  States  transport  steamer  Merrimac,  with 
orders  to  report  to  Major-General  Foster  at  Newbern,  N.  C. 
Went  to  sea  the  evening  of  embarcation,  and  after  a  rough 
voyage  arrived  at  Beaufort,  N.  C,  on  the  afternoon  of  Sunda}^, 
November  30,  and  thence  by  rail  to  Newbern,  and  went  into  quar- 
ters in  the  unfinished  barracks  on  the  south  side  of  the  Trent  river. 
Upon  arrival  were  assigned  to  the  brigade  commanded  by  Col.  T. 


APPENDIX.  343 

J.  C.  Araoiy.  Commenced  the  issue  of  arms  and  the  instruction 
of  the  men  in  their  use  on  the  oth  of  December. 

In  obedience  to  Department  General  Order  No.  77,  and  Bri- 
gade General  Order  No.  31,  the  regiment  took  its  place  in  line  at 
daylight  on  the  morning  of  December  11,  and  formed  a  part  of  the 
column  in  what  is  known  as  the  expedition  to  Goldsboro'.  For  a 
detailed  report  of  the  duties  performed  during  that  ten  days* 
march  reference  may  be  had  to  the  official  report  of  the  com- 
manding officer,  as  published  in  the  report  of  the  Adjutant-General 
of  Massachusetts  for  the  year  1862. 

The  first  death  in  the  regiment  occurred  on  the  11th  of  Januar}', 
of  the  disease  known  in  medical  works  as  "  Cerebro  Spinal  Menin- 
gitis." This  singularl}'  fatal  malady  during  the  two  months  fol- 
lowing consigned  to  the  grave  about  twenty  from  among  the 
hardiest  and  best  soldiers. 

In  conformity  to  Department  General  Order  No.  18,  of  Jan. 
15,  1863,  the  names  "  Kinston,"  "  Whitehall  "  and  "  Goldsboro'  " 
were  inscribed  on  the  colors  of  the  regiment. 

Headquarters  Fifty-first  Massachusetts  Regiment,  > 
Foster  Barracks,  Jan.  21,  1863.  j 

Lieutenant  E.  T.  Parkinson,  Acting  Assistant  Adjutant-General,  First 
Brigade,  Department  of  North  Carolina. 
On  the  17th  inst.,  in  conformity  to  Special  Brigade  Order  No.  14, 
joining  a  portion  of  the  First  Brigade,  and  a  detachment  of  artillery 
and  the  Third  New  York  Cavalry,  I  marched  with  seven  companies  of 
my  command  (Companies  F,  E  and  G  being  on  detached  service)  by 
Brice's  Creek,  and  the  south  side  of  the  Trent  river,  to  Pollockville,  about 
thirteen  miles  distant.  Arrived  at  5  p.  m.,  and  went  into  bivoviac  for  the 
night.  On  the  morning  of  the  18th  two  companies,  under  the  command 
of  Major  Harkness,  marched  with  the  main  column  towards  Trenton, 
while  I  was  ordered  with  the  five  remaining  companies  and  a  detachment 
of  cavalry  to  guard  the  approaches,  and  hold  Pollockville  till  the  return 
of  the  main  force.  This  was  successfully  accomplished,  and  upon  the 
return  of  the  main  body  at  noon  of  the  19th  inst.  I  received  instructions 
to  move  five  companies  to  Young's  Cross-roads,  and  hold  that  point  till 
the  arrival  of  the  main  column.  Without  a  guide  we  passed  the  spot 
known  as  Young's  Cross-roads  (about  seven  miles  from  Pollockville), 
and  coming  suddenly  upon  White  Oak  creek  my  advance  guard  received 
the  fire  of  the  enemy's  outposts  on  the  other  side  of  the  river,  the  bridge 
having  been  destroyed  and  a  breastwork  of  logs  formed  for  tlieir  protec- 
tion. The  advance,  under  the  direct  command  of  Lieutenant-Colonel 
Studley,  returned  the  fire,  and  the  enemy  retired.     In  obedience  to  in- 


344  HISTORY   OP   DOUGLAS. 

structions  we  bivouacked  at  the  Cross-roads,  and  at  evening  were  joined 
by  the  Third  New  York  Cavalry.  Soon  after  daylight,  20th  inst.,  crossed 
White  Oak  river  with  a  detachment,  and  established  an  outpost  on  the 
Jacksonville  road,  to  guard  the  approaches  while  the  bridge  over  the 
creek  was  being  rebuilt.  The  main  force,  under  Colonel  Aniory,  arrived, 
and  a  portion  of  the  cavalry  pressed  forward  to  a  point  near  Jacksonville, 
and  reported  the  enemy  in  force  at  that  place.  The  object  of  the  expe- 
dition accomplished,  we  left  "Smith's  Mill  "  on  the  morning  of  the  21st, 
passing  through  PoUockville,  and  arrived  at  Newbern  in  the  evening. 
A  heavy  rain  during  the  preceding  night  made  muddy  roads  and  over- 
flowing streams.  William  P.  Kent,  of  Company  I,  who  marched  in  appar- 
ent good  health,  was  taken  suddenly  ill,  and  died  in  an  ambulance  on  the 
route. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

A.  B.  R.  SPRAGUE, 
Colonel  Fifty-first  Massachusetts  Regiment. 

On  the  20th  of  February,  the  regiment  suffering  severel}^  from 
a  steadily  increasing  sick-list  and  frequent  deaths,  six  companies 
were  moved  from  the  barracks  to  Deep  Gully,  an  outpost  eight 
miles  out  on  the  Trent  road,  as  a  sanitary  measure.  The  weather 
being  unfavorable,  and  the  shelter  tents  proving  quite  insufficient 
for  the  comfort  of  men  suffering  from  malaria,  the  regiment  returned 
to  barracks  February  27th. 

In  conformity  to  Special  Order  No.  46,  "  that  Colonel  Sprague, 
commanding  Fifty-first  Massachusetts,  with  his  regiment,  relieve 
the  companies  stationed  at  different  points  along  the  railroad 
between  Newbern  and  Morehead  City,  also  those  at  Morehead 
City,  Beaufort  and  Evans'  Mills,"  on  the  2d  and  3d  of  March 
the  regiment  was  distributed  as  follows  :  — 

Company  G,   Captain  T.   D.    Kimball,    remaining   at   Brice's 

Ferr3\      Company   K,    Captain   D.    W.    Kimball,    Evans'    Mills. 

Companies  D,   Captain  Prout}' ;  II,  Captain  Hobbs  ;  B,  Captain 

Bascom ;  and  I,  Captain  Tha3"er,  Newport  —  Lieutenant-Colonel 

Studle}'.     Companies  A,  Captain  Wood,  and  C,  Captain  Goodell, 

Morehead  City.     Companies  E,  Captain  Wheeler,  and  F,  Captain 

Baldwin,    Beaufort ;    headquarters    at   Beaufort.       Major   E.    A. 

Harkness  was  designated   as  Provost-Marshal  of  Beaufort   and 

Morehead  City. 

Headquauters  Fifty-fiust  Massachusetts  Regiment, 

Beaufout,  N.  C,  May  11,  186.3. 
CoLONEf.:    In  obedience  to  instructions  from  Department  Headquar- 
ters I  left  Newport  Barracks  on  the  morning  of  the  7th  instant,  with 


APPENDIX.  345 

Oompanies  B,  C,  D,  II  and  I  of  my  regiment,  a  section  of  Lee's  Battery, 
Lieutenant  Cady,  and  Captain  Moshelle's  company  Third  New  York  Cav- 
alry. Passing  tlirongh  the  "  pecosin  "  around  tlie  head  of  Big  Broad 
Ci'eek,  we  arrived  at  Cedar  Point,  opposite  Swansboro',  some  eighteen 
miles  from  Newport,  about  4  o'clock  on  the  afternoon  of  the  7th.  The 
steamer  Wilson  did  not  make  her  appearance  at  the  mouth  of  Wliite  Oak 
river  as  arranged,  and,  as  no  other  transportation  covdd  be  procured  to 
cross  the  river,  about  one  and  one-half  miles  wide  at  this  place,  the  troops 
encamjicd  in  the  woods  at  Cedar  Point. 

On  the  morning  of  the  8th,  the  Wilson  not  having  arrived,  I  accom- 
panied Captain  Moshelle's  company  of  cavalry  on  a  reconnoisance  up  the 
east  side  of  White  Oak  river,  to  a  point  called  Dorton's  Ferry  (about 
sixteen  miles  from  Cedar  Point  by  road),  about  six  miles  from  Smith's 
Mills  or  Young's.  We  returned  to  Cedar  Point,  reaching  camp  soon  after 
dark. 

On  the  morning  of  the  Dth  communicated  with  Lieutenant-Colonel 
Lewis,  who  had  reached  Swansboro',  coming  down  the  other  side  of  the 
river  with  a  detachment  of  Tliird  New  York  Cavalry. 

At  6  o'clock  A.  M.,  10th  instant,  left  Cedar  Point  and  returned  to 
Newport  barracks.  I  saw  nothing  of  the  enemy  during  our  advance  and 
absence,  and  am  convinced  that  they  do  not  cross  White  Oak  river  in 
force,  and  that  Swansboro'  has  only  been  occupied  by  some  fifteen  or 
twenty  of  the  enemy  as  an  outpost. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servknt, 

A.  B.   E.   SPRAGUE, 

Colonel  Fifty-first  Massachusetts  Eegiment. 
Lieutenant-Colonel  S.  Hoffman,  Assistant  Adjutant-General,  Eiyhteenth 
Army  Corps. 

March  25th  Lieutenant  Sanderson  and  twenty-two  men  were 
■ordered  to  man  the  gunboat  Hussar,  h'ing  in  Beaufort  Harbor, 
and  were  instructed  in  naval  ganner3\ 

B}"  Special  Order  No.  93,  from  Department  Headquarters, 
dated  March  .30th,  in  addition  to  his  other  duties,  Colonel  Sprague 
assumed  command  of  the  post  of  Fort  Macon,  and  Company  C, 
Captain  Goodell,  was  added  to  the  garrison,  one  company-  of  the 
Fort^'-fifth  Massachusetts  being  relieved.  On  the  4th  of  May  the 
regiment  returned  to  Newbern,  greatly  improved  in  health,  and 
reoccupied  their  old  quarters  in  Foster  barracks  on  the  Trent. 
The  regiment  left  the  barracks  on  the  22d  of  May,  and  selecting  a 
spot  near  the  junction  of  the  Trent  and  Neuse,  it  was  designated 
Camp  Wellington. 

Some  misapprehensions  having  arisen  concerning  the  time  of 
the  expiration  of  the  term  of  service  of  the  nine  months'  men,  the 


346  HISTORY   OF   DOUGLAS. 

commissary  of  musters  for  the  Eigliteeutli  Corps  issued  a  circular, 
and  after  stating  the  rule  adopted  b}-  the  government  concludes 
as  follows  :  "Its  fairness  and  liberality  can  hardly  be  questioned 
by  any,  save  those  whose  patriotism  is  of  so  weak  a  nature  as  to 
begrudge  to  their  country  a  short  period  additional  to  their  speci- 
fied nine  months.  In  order,  however,  that  no  possible  ground  of 
complaint  may  exist,  the  General  commanding  authoiizes  me  to 
state  that  any  company  in  this  department  will,  on  application  of 
its  captain,  approved  I)}'  the  Colonel  commanding  the  regiment, 
be  furnished  with  transportation,  and  allowed  to  proceed  home  in 
time  to  reach  it  in  nine  months  from  the  time  of  its  muster  into 
service." 

This  circular  was  read  to  the  regiment  at  the  evening  parade 
of  the  10th  of  June,  together  with  the  following  :  — 

Headquarters  Fifty-fikst  Massachusetts  Rp:giment,  \ 
Camp  Wellington,  Newbern,  N.  C,  .June  10, 1863.      j 

I  have  caused  to  be  read  to  the  whole  command  a  circular  which  was 
drawn  out  by  dissatisfaction  witli  the  direction  of  the  War  Department, 
in  regard  to  the  time  of  mustering  out  the  nine  months'  men. 

Without  entering  upon  an  argument  in  regard  to  the  justice  or  equity 
of  this  decision  of  the  War  Department,  I  rely  uj^on  the  good  judgment, 
the  patriotism  and  intelhgence  of  the  officers  and  soldiers  of  this  regi- 
ment who  entered  tlie  service,  and  have  stood  together  unflinchingly  in 
the  line  of  duty,  to  take  no  action  which  will  compromise  them  in  the 
eyes  of  the  country  and  their  friends.  Rather  let  us  be  overzealous  in 
the  service  than  be  relieved  one  moment  too  soon  by  our  own  action. 

A.    B.   R.   SPRAGUE, 

Colonel  Fifty-first  Massachusetts. 

No  companj'  of  the  regiment  signified  a  desire  to  avail  them- 
selves of  the  offer  in  the  foregoing  circular. 

It  being  understood  that  while  the  rebel  army  under  Lee  was 
pressing  northward  into  Maryland  and  Pennsylvania  General  Dix 
would  move  upon  Richmond  by  way  of  White  House,  on  the 
Pamunky,  this  regiment,  together  with  others,  was  offered  to  Gen- 
eral Dix,  and  on  the  24th  of  June  received  orders  from  Major- 
General  Foster  to  report  at  Fortress  Monroe,  Virginia,  and  with 
the  exception  of  one  hundred  and  eighty-three  sick  men,  who 
remained  behind,  on  the  afternoon  of  that  day  embarked  on 
steamer  Thomas  CoUyer  and  schooner  A.  P.  Howe.     Arrived  at 


APPENDIX.  347 

Fortress  Monroe  on  the  morning  of  the  27th,  the  commanding- 
officer  reported  to  the  senior  officer  at  that  post,  who  directed  the 
regiment  to  proceed  to  Cumberland,  Virginia,  on  the  Pamunky. 
Leaving  the  sick  and  all  surplus  baggage  at  the  fortress,  all 
embarked  on  the  Collyer  and  proceeded  up  the  York  river.  While 
en  route  received  orders  to  proceed  to  White  House,  and  arrived 
about  midnight. 

Early  on  the  morning  of  the  28th  reported  to  General  Dix, 
whose  whole  force  was  in  camp  at  White  House.  Upon  learning 
that  the  regiment  was  in  light  marching  order,  without  camp 
equipage,  and  the  term  of  service  of  the  regiment  having  nearly 
expired.  General  Dix  ordered  that  the  regiment  return  to  Fortress 
Monroe,  and  there  make  requisition  upon  the  quartermaster  for 
transportation  to  Massachusetts,  to  be  mustered  out  of  service. 

Arrived  back  at  Fortress  Monroe  evening  of  the  28th,  and  while 
awaiting  transportation  learning  the  critical  condition  of  affairs  in 
Pennsylvania  and  Maryland,  the  colonel  commanding  authorized 
General  Naglee  to  offer  the  service  of  the  regiment  for  the  emer- 
gency', and  after  communicating  with  Washington  by  telegraph 
they  were  accepted,  and  orders  received  from  General  Halleck  for 
the  regiment  to  report  to  General  Schenck  at  Baltimore,  who  was 
in  command  of  the  Middle  Department.  Arrived  in  Baltimore  on 
the  1st  of  Jul}',  and  were  ordered  to  occupy'  Belger  barracks,  near 
the  line  of  defenses  of  Baltimore,  in  process  of  construction,  where 
they  remained  till  the  6th  of  July.  Sundaj',  otli  Jul}',  six  companies, 
under  command  of  Lieutenant-Colonel  Studley,  were  detailed  to 
escort  two  thousand  three  hundred  rebel  prisoners,  taken  at  Gettys- 
burg, from  the  railroad  station  to  F'ort  McHenr}'. 

On  the  4th  of  Jul}'  the  regiment  received  the  honor  of  being 
detailed  to  search  the  houses  of  the  citizens  of  Baltimore  for  arms, 
in  conjunction  with  the  city  police,  and  successfully  and  creditabl}^ 
performed  this  delicate  duty.  Thousands  of  arms  of  various  kinds 
were  seized,  and  deposited  at  the  office  of  the  city  marshal. 

In  obedience  to  orders,  at  6  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  the 
6th  instant,  the  regiment  in  light  marching  order  reported  to  Brig- 
adier-General Briggs,  to  whose  brigade  it  had  temporarily  been 
assigned,  at  the  depot  of  the  Baltimore  and  Ohio  Railroad,  with 
three  days'  rations  and  sixty  rounds  of  cartridges.  Proceeded  as 
far  as  Monocacy  Junction,  where  the  regiment  remained  in  the 


348  HISTORY   OF    DOUGLAS. 

•cars  till  the  morning  of  the  7th.  Late  in  the  afternoon  of  this  daj* 
arrived  at  Sandy  Hook,  Maryland,  from  whence  the  rebels  had 
just  fled,  but  still  held  Harper's  Ferr}-  and  the  opposite  bank  of 
the  Potomac.  About  9  o'clock  p.  m.  were  ordered  to  proceed 
to  Maryland  Heights.  Tlie  rain  was  steadily  falling,  and  the  night 
was  dark.  The  Eighth,  Fortj'-sixth  and  Fifty-first  Massachusetts 
regiments,  with  a  Pennsylvania  batter^',  all  under  command  of 
Colonel  Sprague,  of  the  Fiftj'-first,  commenced  the  ascent.  After 
hours  of  dela}'  and  weary  marching  the  column  arrived  at  Fort 
Duncan,  on  the  heights,  about  4  o'clock,  morning  of  the  8th. 

The  regiment  here  remained  doing  outpost  dut}'  on  the  Potomac 
and  on  the  Sharpsburg  road  till  the  12th  of  Juh*,  when  orders 
were  received  ' '  to  procure  three  da^'s '  rations  and  proceed  to 
Boonsboro',  Maryland,  to  join  the  army  of  the  Potomac,"  which 
was  in  that  vicinity  endeavoring  to  intercept  the  retreat  of  the  rebel 
General  Lee. 

The  brigade  of  General  Briggs,  consisting  of  the  Eighth,  Thirty- 
ninth,  Forty-sixth  and  Fifty-first  Massachusetts  regiments,  left 
Mar3^1and  Heights  by  Sharpsburg  road  at  9  o'clock  p.  m.  Sun- 
da}',  July  12th,  marching  all  night.  Arrived  at  the  front  about 
3  o'clock  on  the  afternoon  of  the  13th,  having  marched  about 
twent3'-seven  miles. 

Surcharged  with  malaria  contracted  in  the  swamps  of  North 
Carolina,  without  camp  equipage,  kettles,  or  a  change  of  clothing 
in  wet  weather,  the  men  were  poorly  prepared  to  endure  the  fatigue, 
and  large  numbers  became  sick,  and  were  sent  back  to  Baltimore 
from  Sandv  Hook  and  Maryland  Heights,  so  that  when  it  ai'rived 
at  the  front  there  was  present  for  dut}'  an  aggregate  of  only  two 
hundred  and  seventy-five  men.  The  brigade  was  immediately 
assigned  to  the  Second  Division,  First  Corps,  of  the  Armj'  of  the 
Potomac,  and  second  line  of  battle. 

The  enemy  disappeared  from  our  front  during  the  night,  and 
on  the  morning  of  the  14th  the  arm}'  was  in  motion  in  pursuit  of 
the  retiring  rebels.  The  Fift3'-first  marched  with  the  main  body, 
and  proceeded  to  Williamsport,  where  it  was  evident  the  enemy 
had  effected  a  crossing. 

Encamped  at  Williamsport,  and  15th  instant  marched  back 
through  Funkstown  and  Antietam  to  a  point  near  Berlin,  Maryland, 
where  a  pontoon  across  the  Potomac  had  been  thrown  for  the  passage 
of  our  troops  into  Virginia. 


APPENDIX.  349 

The  enem}'  having  disappeared  from  our  front,  recrossed  the 
Potomac,  and  in  full  retreat,  the  regiment  received  orders  from  Corps 
Headquarters,  on  the  17th  of  Jul^-,  to  return  to  Massachusetts,  to 
be  mustered  out  of  the  service  of  the  United  States.  Reached  lialti- 
more  on  the  morning  of  the  18th,  and  arrived  at  Worcester,  Massa- 
chusetts, on  the  21st  day  of  July. 

A  furlough  was  granted  to  the  men  until  the  27th  instant,  when 
they  were  mustered  out  of  service  by  Captain  Lawrence  of  the  Fourth 
Infantry,  U.  S.  A.,  having  served  nearly  ten  months. 

The  sick  left  at  Newbern  at  the  departure  of  the  regiment  under 
charge  of  Assistant-Surgeon  Garvin  arrived  home  before  the  regi- 
ment, and  were  mustered  out  with  the  rest  at  Worcester,  Massa- 
chusetts. 

Company  I  of  this  regiment  was  composed  largely  of  men  from 
Douglas  and  the  neighboring  town  of  Upton.  Its  officers  were 
William  Hunt,  captain  ;  Harrison  F.  Bradish,  of  Upton,  first  lieu- 
tenant ;  Lucius  M.  Tha3'er  second  lieutenant,  and  Ezekiel  Pack- 
ard first  sergeant. 

Upon  the  resignation  of  Captain  Hunt  Feb.  7,  1863,  Lucius 
M.  Thaj'er  was  promoted  captain,  and  Ezekiel  Packard  second 
lieutenant.  Ma}'  23,  1863,  Lieutenant  Bradish  resigned  and 
Ezekiel  Packard  succeeded  him  as  first  lieutenant ;  Charles  W. 
Moore  was  commissioned  second  lieutenant. 

The  casualties  to  Douglas  men  were  as  follows  :  Marcus  M. 
Mitchell  (a  Douglas  man,  enlisted  in  Milford,)  died  at  Newbern, 
N.  C,  Jan.  28,  1863.  Francis  L.  Moore  also  died  in  hospital  at 
Newbern,  and  John  N.  Gaskell  killed  near  Spottsylvania  Court- 
house, Va.  Philetus  Buffum  was  honorably  discharged  at  the  ex- 
piration of  his  term  of  service  ;  died  July  3,  1867,  and  was  buried 
in  the  East  Douglas  cemetery.  The  name  of  Dr.  J.  Homer  Dar- 
ling, assistant  surgeon  of  the  Fifty-first  regiment,  was  omitted  from 
the  list  on  page  117.  He  was  enlisted  at  Douglas  and  returned 
home,  at  the  expiration  of  his  term  of  service,  July  27,  1863. 

KIFTV-SEVEXTH    REGIMENT  MASSACHUSETTS    VOLUNTEERS. 

This  regiment  left  the  State  April  18,  1864,  and  was  mustered 
out  July  30,  1865.  During  its  term  of  service  it  took  part  iu 
the   following-named  engagements :     Wilderness,    Spottsylvania ^ 


550  HISTORY   OF   DOUGLAS. 

North  Anna,  Cold  Harbor,  Petersburg,  Weldon  Railroad,  Poplar 
Spring  Church,  and  Hatcher's  Run. 

Of  the  five  who  enlisted  in  the  Fifty-seventh  from  the  town  of 
Douglas  but  one  returned.  Henry  Glover  was  killed  at  Cold 
Harbor,  John  N.  Gaskell  at  Spottsylvania,  David  B.  Curtis  and 
Abner  A.  Lealand  in  the  battle  before  Petersburg.  Lewis  Moun- 
tain  was  mustered  out  at  the  expiration  of  his  term  of  service, 
July  30,  18G5. 

FIFTY-EIGHTH    REGIMENT  MASSACHUSETTS  VOLUNTEERS. 

The  organization  of  eight  companies  of  this  regiment  was 
completed  April  25,  1864,  and  they  left  the  State  April  28.  The 
remaining  two  companies  were  afterwards  recruited  and  sent 
forward  to  join  the  regiment.  It  took  part  in  the  engagements 
at  the  Wilderness,  Spotts3lvania,  North  Anna,  Cold  Harbor, 
Petersburg,  Weldon  Railroad,  Poplar  Spring  Church,  Fort 
Sedgwick,  and  Fort  Mahone,  and  was  mustered  out  July  14,  1865. 

FIRST   REGIMENT    MASSACHUSETTS    CAVALRY. 

This  reo-iment  was  mustered  into  the  United  States  service 
Nov.  1,  1861.  The  First  Battalion  left  the  State  Dec.  25,  the 
Second  Dec.  27,  and  the  Third  Dec.  29,  1861.  The  Third  Bat- 
talion was  detached  from  the  regiment  Aug.  4,  1863,  and  subse- 
quently became  a  part  of  the  F'ourth  Regiment  of  Cavaliy,  and  a 
new  battalion  was  recruited  to  fill  its  place.  The  following  are 
the  battles  this  regiment  were  engaged  in :  Poolsville,  South 
Mountain,  Antietam,  Fredericksburg,  Chancellorsville,  Brandy  Sta- 
tion, Aldie,  Upperville,  Gettysburg,  Williamsport,  Culpepper, 
Auburn,  Todd's  Tavern,  fortifications  of  Richmond,  Vaughn 
Road,  St.  Maiy's  Church,  Cold  Harbor,  and  Bellefield. 

THIRD    REGIMENT    MASSACHUSETTS    CAVALRY. 

This  regiment  was  recruited  and  originalh'  went  into  the  service 
as  the  FortA^-first  regiment  of  infantry.  It  was  mustered  into  the 
service  Nov.  1,  1862,  and  left  the  State  November  15. 

In  June,  1863,  the  regiment  was  changed  to  a  cavahy  organiza- 
tion, and  the  first,  second  and  third  unattached  companies  of  cav- 
alr}^  were  consolidated  with  them,  and  became  a  part  of  the  organ- 
ization.    It  was  mustered  out  Sept.  28,  1865. 


APPENDIX.  351 

It  was  in  the  following  battles  :  Irish  Rend,  Henderson  Hill, 
Cane  River,  Port  Hudson,  Sa1)ine  Cross-roads,  Muddy  Baj'ou, 
Piney  AVoods,  Red  River  campaign,  Opequan,  Fisher's  Hill,  Snag 
Point,  Winchester,  and  Cedar  Creek. 

FOITRTII    REGIMENT    MASSACHUSETTS    CAVALRY. 

This  regiment  was  composed  of  the  Independent  Battalion,  for- 
merl}^  Third  Battalion,  First  Regiment  of  Cavaby,  and  two  new 
battalions  recruited  in  Massachusetts.  At  the  time  the  regiment 
was  organized  the  First  Battalion,  Major  Stephens,  was  stationed  at 
South  Carolina.  The  Second  Battalion  left  the  State  March  20, 
1864,  and  the  Third  April  23,  18G4.  It  took  part  in  the  battles  of 
Gainesville,  Florida,  Drury's  Blurt",  and  in  several  of  the  engage- 
ments before  Petersburg  and  Richmond. 

In  the  desperate  engagement  at  High  Bridge  on  Thursday,  the  6th 
of  April,  18G5,  this  regiment,  under  command  ofthe  brave  and  gallant 
Frank  Washburn  of  Worcester,  bore  anhonorable  part,  their  bravery 
and  daring  challenging  the  admiration  of  both  armies.  While  en- 
deavoring to  hold  the  High  Bridge,  over  which  it  was  feared  Lee's 
army  might  escape,  the}-  were  surrounded  and  overpowered  by 
two  divisions  of  Lee's  cavalr}'.  After  having  made  two  charges 
through  the  rebel  lines  the  Colonel  might  at  either  of  these  times 
have  passed  on  with  his  cavalry  and  escaped,  but  refusing  to  leave 
the  infantry  while  there  remained  the  slightest  chance  of  rescuing 
them,  and  although  the  odds  were  eight  men  to  one,  he  made  his 
third  charge,  and  in  this,  while  crossing  sabres  with  a  rebel  oflicer 
whom  he  had  nearly  disarmed,  he  was  shot  through  the  head  b}' 
another,  and  after  he  had  fallen  received  a  sabre  cut  upon  the  skull 
which  completely  disabled  him.  He  was  two  days  a  prisoner, 
during  which  time,  notwithstanding  the  gallantry  he  had  displayed, 
the}''  did  nothing  for  his  wounds,  and  relieved  him  of  his  horse, 
his  sword  and  his  mone}'.  Upon  being  released  he  was  brought 
home,  and  died  the  day  following  his  arrival  at  Worcester,  at  the 
house  of  his  brother,  Mr.  J.  D.  AVashburn. 

The  following  testimonial  from  a  rebel  Colonel,  Inspector-Gen- 
eral on  General  Lee's  staff",  corroborates  what  has  been  said  of  the 
Fourth  and  its  brave  commander.  In  speaking  of  the  battle  of 
High  Bridge,  he  says:     "So  fierce  were  the  charges  of  Colonel 


352  HISTORY   OF   DOUGLAS. 

Washburn  and  his  men,  and  so  determined  their  fighting,  that 
General  Lee  received  the  impression  that  tiic}'  must  be  supported 
by  a  large  part  of  the  army,  and  tliat  his  retreat  was  cut  off." 

General  Grant,  as  soon  as  the  intelligence  of  the  death  of  Col- 
onel Washburn  was  received,  paused  amidst  his  vast  labors  to 
write  with  his  own  hands  a  letter  to  the  family  of  the  deceased, 
expressing  his  sympathy  in  their  loss,  and  admiration  for  his  gal- 
lant and  heroic  conduct. 


FIRST    MASSACHUSETTS     HEAVY    ARTILLERY. 

This  regiment  was  organized  as  the  Fourteenth  Regiment  In- 
fantry, and  was  mustered  into  the  service  Jul}-  5,  1861.  The  or- 
ganization was  changed  to  a  heavy  artillery  regiment  Jan.  1,  1862. 
The  three  men  who  enlisted  in  this  regiment  on  the  Douglas  quota 
were  not  from  this  town. 


SECOND    REGIMENT    MASSACHUSETTS    HEAVY    ARTILLERY. 

The  companies  composing  this  regiment  were  mustered  into 
service  at  different  dates.  Four  companies  left  the  State  Nov.  4, 
1863.  Two  companies  left  Nov.  6,  1863,  and  the  balance  (six 
companies)  left  Jan.  8,  1864. 

The  regiment  was  stationed  in  North  Carolina  and  Virginia 
during  its  full  term  of  service.  Companies  G  and  H  were  cap- 
tured in  April,  1864,  at  Plj-moiith.  They  were  then  275  strong. 
In  the  spring  of  1865  the  remnant  of  them  rejoined  the  regiment, 
thirt^'-five  in  number,  a  sad  commentary  on  the  starving  system 
of  Andersonville.  The  principal  part  of  the  regiment  were  in  few 
battles,  but  were  detailed  to  garrison  forts  and  to  do  skirmish  duty. 
Companies  B,  C,  F,  I  and  M  participated  with  honor  in  the  battle 
of  Kingston. 

SIXTEENTH    (uNATTACHEd)    COMPANY   HEAVY    ARTILLERY. 

The  Third  Regiment  Massachusetts  Heav}-  Artilleiy  was  com- 
posed of  the  Third,  Sixth,  Seventh,  Eighth,  Ninth,  Tenth,  Elev- 
enth, Twelfth,  Thirteenth,  Fourteenth,  Fifteenth  and  Sixteenth 
(unattached)  companies  of  heavy  artillery,  and  with  the  exception 


APPENDIX.  353 

of  one  company,  which  was  on  detached  duty,  was  employed  in  the 
coast  defenses  of  the  State  and  at  Washington,  D.  C. 

FIRST    REGIMENT   RHODE    ISLAND    VOLUNTEERS. 

This  three  months'  regiment  left  Providence  for  the  seat  of  war 
in  two  detachments  —  the  first  on  the  20th  of  April,  under  com- 
mand of  Col.  A.  E.  Burnside,  and  the  second  April  24th,  under 
Lieut.  Col.  Joseph  S.  Pitman.  The  regiment  was  accompanied 
throughout  the  campaign  by  the  Providence  American  Brass  Band. 
It  took  part  in  the  battle  of  Bull  Pun  with  honor  to  itself,  and  re- 
turned to  Providence  July  28th,  18G1,  its  time  of  service  having 
expired, 

SECOND    REGIMENT    RHODE    ISLAND    VOLUNTEERS 

was  recruited  at  "  Camp  Burnside,"  on  the  Dexter  Training 
Ground  in  Providence.  Major  John  S.  Slocum  of  the  First  Regi- 
ment was  appointed  Colonel.  While  making  preparation  to  leave 
for  AYashington  the  regiment  received  many  tokens  of  interest 
and  regard  from  friends.  The  firm  of  A.  &  W.  Sprague  presented 
them  with  one  thousand  rubber  blankets.  The  citizens  of  Lons- 
dale made  a  generous  donation  to  the  hospital  department,  and 
man}'  of  the  ofliicers  received  for  themselves  and  for  their  compa- 
nies several  expressions  of  interest  and  good-will  in  the  form  of 
useful  articles  designed  for  their  comfort  and  convenience.  The 
regiment  was  also  presented  with  an  elegant  stand  of  colors  by 
the  ladies  of  Providence,  through  Col.  Jabez  C.  Knight,  Vaj- 
master-General. 

June  19,  the  regiment  embarked  on  board  the  steamer  "State 
of  Maine"  for  AYashington,  and  entered  upon  active  ser-\-ice. 

During  the  war  the  Second  took  part  in  the  following  engage- 
ments :  Bull  Run,  Williamsburg,  White  House,  Mechanicsville, 
Seven  Pines,  Fredericksburg,  Gettysburg,  and  Chancellorsville. 
At  the  battle  of  Bull  Run  the  regiment  suffered  severe!}'.  Its 
loss  was  twent^'-eight  killed,  fifty-six  wounded,  and  thirty  missing. 
It  was  in  this  disastrous  battle  that  Colonel  Slocum,  Major  Ballou. 
Captain  Tower,  and  Captain  Smith  were  killed.  The  colors  of 
the  regiment  were  complete!}'  riddled  by  balls,  but  the  standard- 
bearer,  Sergeant  John  M.  Durfee,  stood  by  them  and  brought 
them  from  the  field. 

223 


354  HISTORY   OF    DOUGLAS. 

It  was  a  remarkable  fact  in  the  historj'  of  this  regiment  that 
from  the  first  battle  of  Bull  Run  to  that  of  Chancellorsville  it  met 
the  same  rebel  regiments  in  the  field  and  on  picket.  So  familiar 
were  the  relations  established  between  the  men  on  both  sides  that 
on  the  appearance  of  the  Second  Rhode  Island  at  their  post  the 
rebel  pickets  would  leave  their  rifle-pits,  stack  arms  and  enter  into 
friendl}'  conversation,  often  inquiring  with  apparent  interest  for 
members  of  the  regiment  who  were  absent.  Throughout  their 
term  of  service  the  regiment  bore  a  uniform  character  for  bravery 
and  efficiency. 

FOURTH    REGIMENT    RHODE    ISLAND    VOLUNTEERS. 

This  regiment  left  "Camp  Greene,"  in  Providence,  for  Wash- 
ington Oct.  2,  1861.  Like  the  regiments  preceding  it,  the  mem- 
bers of  the  Fourth  were  made  the  recipients  of  man}'  useful  gifts, 
including  a  stand  of  colors  presented  b}'  the  ladies  of  Provi- 
dence. 

This  regiment  was  identified  with  the  army  of  North  Carolina, 
under  General  Burnside,  and  took  part  in  the  battles  of  Roanoke 
Island,  Newbern,  and  Fort  Macon,  after  which  the}'  joined 
McClellan's  forces,  and  were  engaged  in  the  battles  of  South  Moun- 
tain, Antietam,  Fredericksburg,  and  two  skirmishes  on  the  Nanse- 
mond  river,  and  two  at  Suffolk. 

SEVENTH   REGIMENT    RHODE    ISLAND    VOLUNTEERS 

was  organized  Ma3'22, 1862,  at  "  Camp  BUss,"  South  Providence, 
and  left  for  Washington  September  10,  under  command  of  Col. 
Zenas  R.  Bliss.  Joining  the  army  of  the  Potomac  in  November, 
it  took  part  in  the  battle  of  Fredericksburg  ;  was  afterwards  as- 
signed to  the  Department  of  the  Ohio,  where  the}'  did  valuable 
skirmish  service,  in  which  several  of  its  officers  and  soldiers  were 
killed.     Its  losses  during  the  campaign  were  thirty-five  by  death. 

FIRST    REGIMENT    RHODE    ISLAND    CAVALRY 

was  organized  as  the  First  New  England  Cavalry,  in  the  autumn 
of  1861,  and  passed  the  winter  in  camp  at  Pawtucket,  R.  I.  On 
the  12th  of  March,  1862,  a  battalion  under  Major  Sanford  left  the 
State  for  Washington,  and  in  a  few  days  the  rest  of  the  regiment 
followed.     Uniting  there,   the   regiment  proceeded  to    "  Camp 


APPENDIX.  355 

Mud,"  Warrenton  Junction.  Shortly  after  a  battalion  of  one 
hundred  men  from  this  regiment  was  sent  forward  to  Port  Royal 
to  save  bridges  and  do  any  other  necessar}'  w'ork.  They  entered 
Port  Royal  just  as  the  enem}'  was  setting  fire  to  the  bridge  from 
the  opposite  side.  Putting  spurs  to  their  horses,  the  cavahy  dashed 
across  the  bridge  and  upon  the  enemy  with  irresistible  force,  cap- 
turing one  hundred  and  seventeen  prisoners,  and  rescuing  twent}' 
men  and  two  officers  of  the  First  Vermont  Cavalr}',  who  were  being 
held  as  prisoners  by  the  rebels.  The  loss  in  this  brief  but  decisive 
action  was  seven  killed  and  seven  wounded,  including  Capt.  Wil- 
liam P.  Ainsworth,  a  brave  and  dashing  officer,  who  was  highly 
esteemed  by  his  men. 

The  other  battles  in  which  the  First  was  engaged  were  :  Cedar 
Mountain,  Groveton,  Bull  Run,  Chantill}-,  Leesburg,  Beverly 
Ford,  Kelly's  Ford,  Middleburg,  and  Deep  Bottom.  It  also  took 
part  in  General  Sheridan's  last  raid,  which  forced  Lee's  surrender 
at  Appomattox  Court-house. 

Sylvester  Chase,  a  musician  in  the  First,  from  this  town,  relates 
that  he  saw  the  last  rebel  cannon  fired  at  Generals  Sheridan  and 
AY  right  and  their  bodj^-guards  and  staffs. 

The  casualties  to  Douglas  men  were  as  follows :  George  Snow, 
severely  wounded  in  the  leg  at  Kellj^'s  Ford  March  17,  1863, 
afterwards  discharged  and  re-enlisted.  In  a  severe  engagement 
at  Middelburg,  Va.,  June  17,  1863,  Lieut.  Simeon  Brown  was 
wounded ;  Charles  E.  Gould,  M.  Leach,  and  Albert  A.  Greene 
were  captured  by  the  enem}',  and  William  Lyon  not  accounted 
for,  supposed  to  have  been  captured.  Alfred  P.  Palmer,  wounded 
and  missing  at  the  battle  of  Middleburg,  paroled  and  enlisted  as 
veteran  volunteer.  Isaac  King,  Quartermaster-Sergeant,  was 
seriouslj'  injured  by  a  fall  from  his  horse  while  practicing  a 
cavahy  charge.  Mr.  King  was  active  in  securing  the  enlistment 
of  Douglas  men  in  his  regiment,  but  through  an  unintentional 
oversight  his  name  was  omitted  from  the  list  on  page  118,  as  also 
the  names  of  Joseph  and  Josiah  Hough  and  Alfred  .Snow,  who 
were  enlisted  at  the  same  time. 

SECOND    REGIMENT    RHODE    ISLAND    CAVALRY 

was  a  three  years'  regiment.  It  was  enlisted  in  Providence,  and 
was  ordered  to  join  the  forces  of  General  Banks  at  New  Orleans, 


356  HISTORY   OF*   DOUGLAS. 

arriving  in  season  to  take  part  in  the  first  advance  on  Port  Hud- 
son, March  14,  1863.  It  was  also  a  part  of  the  force  engaged  in 
the  Teche  expedition,  taking  an  active  part  in  the  engagements  at 
Bisland  and  Franklin.  The  expedition  proceeded  to  Alexandria, 
La.,  and  then  to  Port  Hudson,  where  it  was  actively  employed  in 
scouting  and  foraging.  On  the  20th  of  June  it  was  sent  with 
other  regiments  to  protect  a  forage  train  between  Clinton  and 
Jackson,  La.  The}'  were  attacked  by  a  large  force,  composed  of 
infantry,  cavalry  and  artillery.  Colonel  Corliss  of  the  Second 
was  in  advance,  and  held  the  enemy  in  check  while  he  sent  three 
times  for  the  artillerj'  to  come  up.  He  then  went  and  brought  it 
up  himself,  and  used  it  with  such  effect  as  to  result  in  killing  one 
and  wounding  seven.     Four  prisoners  were  also  captured. 

At  Springfield  Landing  the  regiment  lost  one  man  killed,  four 
wounded,  and  thirteen  prisoners  taken. 

At  Brashear  City  the  rebels  captured  Major  Anthony  of  the 
Second,  and  twenty  of  his  men.  The  regiment  became  reduced 
in  numbers  b3'hardm  arches  and  skirmishes,  so  that  in  July,  18G3, 
it  was  consolidated  into  one  battalionof  four  companies,  and  united 
with  the  First  Louisiana  Cavahy .  The  officers  retained  were  Cap- 
tains Wilham  J.  McCall,  Henry  C.  Fitts,  George  W.  Beach,  E.  A. 
Hardy  ;  First  Lieutenants  J.  N.  Whitney,  Charles  W.  Turner, 
John  D.  Hanning,  Walter  M.  Jackson,  and  Second  Lieutenant 
Frank  Hays. 

This  battalion  was  afterwards  united  with  the  Third  Rhode 
Island  Cavalry  at  New  Orleans,  the  names  of  its  members  from 
this  town  appearing  in  the  Third  Rhode  Island  Cavalry  list,  page 
118.  Nearly  all  the  Douglas  men  in  this  regiment  were  enlisted 
by  Captain  Henry  C.  Fitts,  who  was  also  a  resident  of  Douglas. 

Captain  Fitts  was  a  thorough  soldier,  earl}'  evincing  a  fondness 
for  military  pursuits,  entering  the  service  when  quite  young.  After 
one  term  of  service  as  a  musician  he  was  commissioned  a  Captain 
in  the  Second  Rhode  Island  Cavalry,  remaining  in  that  position 
until  his  death,  which  occurred  Dec.  19,  1864,  at  Donaldsonville, 
La.  Through  all  the  excitement  and  danger  incident  to  the  cavalry 
service,  he  showed  his  efficiency  as  a  commander,  was  ever  ready 
to  lead  and  prompt  to  act,  yet  cared  for  the  interests  of  his  men, 
and  never  exposed  them  to  needless  danger.     He  had,  to  a  re- 


APPENDIX.  357 

ttlarkable  degree,  the  respect  and  g6od  wishes  of  both  officers  and 
men.  His  fine  social  qualities  and  generous  nature  made  him 
exceedingly  popular  with  all  who  knew  him,  and  his  unexpected 
decease,  after  a  brief  illness,  carried  sadness  to  many  hearts.  No 
officer  in  the  regiment  could  have  been  more  sincerel}-  mourned  or 
more  affectionately  remembered. 

The  following  were  the  casualties  to  Douglas  men  :  Joseph 
Hough,  captured  while  bearing  dispatches,  afterwards  paroled 
and  returned  home.  Daniel  E.  Gould,  captured  while  on  a  scout- 
ing expedition,  and  died  from  exposure.  David  L.  Thomas  was 
captured  while  on  a  skirmishing  expedition  ;  after  five  months 
in  rebel  prisons  was  exchanged  and  returned  home.  His  name 
should  appear  in  the  list  on  page  118.  William  H.  AVilcox,  Thomas 
Magee,  and  Eugene  H.  Gould  served  until  the  expiration  of  their 
term  of  enlistments,  were  discharged,  and  while  returning  home 
were  lost  on  the  steamer  "  North  America,"  which  was  wrecked 
off  the  coast  of  Cape  Hatteras,  and  all  on  board  perished. 

THIRD    REGIMENT    RHODE    ISLAND    CAVALRY 

was  recruited  at  Providence.  Enlistments  commenced  as  early  as 
Jul^*,  1863.  A  camp  was  first  estabUshed  at  Mashapaug,  but  in 
August  the  recruits  were  transferred  to  "Camp  Meade,"  on 
Conanicut  Island.  On  the  24th  of  December  376  men  had  been 
enlisted.  In  the  latter  part  of  December  embarked  for  New  Or- 
leans to  join  the  forces  of  General  Banks. 

SEVENTH    SQUADRON    RHODE    ISLAND    CAVALRY 

was  composed  of  165  men,  enlisted  for  three  months'  service  in 
the  earl}-  part  of  the  war.  It  was  composed  of  a  compaii}^  re- 
cruited from  Dartmouth  College  and  Norwich  University,  and  one 
company  enlisted  in  Providence  and  left  the  State  June  28,  1862. 
Its  principal  service  was  reconnoitering  and  scout  duty  in  the 
vicinity  of  Winchester  and  Harper's  Ferry.  It  was  mustered  out 
of  the  service  Sept.  28,  1862,  at  Providence. 

The  names  of  George  Packard  and  Charles  A.  Phillips  should 
appear  in  the  list  of  Seventh  Rhode  Island  Cavalrymen  from  Doug- 
las, page  118. 


S58  aiSTORV   OP   DOUGLAS. 

THIRD    REGIMENT    RHODE    ISLAND    HEAVY    ARTILLERY. 

Four  Douglas  men  served  in  this  regiment,  enlisting  in  Septem- 
ber, 18G1.  The  last  three  in  the  list  —  C\'rus,  George  and  James 
Jepherson  —  were  brothers.  George  Jepherson  died  at  McDougal 
Hospital  in  New  York,  and  Corporal  Peter  Balcome  was  wounded 
at  the  battle  of  James  Island  June  16,  1862. 

THIRTEENTH,    EIGHTEENTH,    AND     TWENTY-SIXTH     CONNECTICUT     VOL- 
UNTEERS. 

Newell  J.  Lee  was  a  Sergeant  in  the  Thirteenth  Connecticut, 
enlisting  from  the  town  of  Putnam.  He  served  four  years,  pro- 
cured an  honorable  discharge,  and  returned  home  ;  afterwards  died 
at  the  residence  of  Mr.  Andrew  Wallis,  in  East  Douglas,  and  was 
buried  in  Evergreen  Cemeteiy. 

Walter  Ward  enlisted  from  Thompson,  Conn.,  in  the  Eighteenth 
Regiment  Connecticut  Volunteers  ;  at  the  expiration  of  his  term 
of  service  was  honorabl}'  discharged,  returned  home,  and  is  still 
living. 

M^-ron  Starrett,  son  of  Mrs.  Adaline  Starrett,  enlisted  in  the 
Twenty-sixth  Connecticut  regiment  from  the  city  of  Norwich.  On 
the  first  day's  battle  at  Port  Hudson,  May  27,  1863,  he  was  re- 
ported missing,  and  nothing  further  was  learned  by  his  friends 
regarding  his  fate  until  the  return  of  his  regiment  at  the  close  of 
the  war.  The  Captain  of  his  company  and  the  Colonel  of  the 
regiment  both  witnessed  his  bravery  during  the  action,  and  made 
the  followins;  statement,  which  establishes  bevond  doubt  the  fact 
of  his  death  at  that  time  :  Before  going  into  the  fight  a  call  was 
made  for  volunteer  sharp-shooters,  and  Myron  Starrett  was  of  the 
number  who  responded,  and  at  the  close  of  the  unsuccessful  charge 
on  the  enemy's  works  was  the  only  man  in  the  regiment  not  ac- 
counted for. 

Upon  the  surrender  of  Port  Hudson,  a  few  days  after,  it  was 
ascertained  from  rebel  oflflcers  that  on  the  evening  of  the  27th, 
after  the  engagement  was  ended,  they  took  several  wounded  men 
into  the  fort,  and  among  the  number  was  one  of  the  Twenty-sixth 
Connecticut  men,  who  was  wounded  above  the  hip,  died  before 
morning,  and  was  buried  inside  the  fort. 


APPENDIX.  359 

ENGINEER,    SIGNAL    AND    VETERAN    RESERVE    CORPS. 

The  men  whose  names  are  recorded  in  these  branches  of  the 
service  were  nearly  all  non-residents,  who  enlisted  upon  the  quota 
of  Douglas. 

UNITED    STATES -NAVY,    ETC. 

James  Wilson,  the  first  man  to  enlist  in  the  United  States  Navy 
on  the  quota  of  Douglas,  was  mustered  into  the  service  June  19, 
1864,  Edgar  P.  Barton  July  IG,  1864,  and  John  Norton  Sept.  2, 
1864.  James  L.  Mannahan,  a  native  of  Douglas,  also  enlisted  in 
the  nav}',  but  was  not  credited  on  the  Douglas  quota. 

Henry  Ilutchins  served  in  the  Fifth  Maine  regiment,  afterwards 
in  the  Fourteenth  Maine. 

Charles  A.  Andrews,  Sergeant  in  the  Eleventh  Massachusetts 
Volunteers,  was  a  resident  of  Douglas,  although  credited  to  the 
city  of  Boston. 

Capt.  George  H.  Amidon,  of  the  Fourth  Vermont  Volunteers, 
was  a  son  of  William  B.  Amidon  of  Douglas. 

Captain  Amidon  was  a  promising  young  officer,  a  true  patriot 
and  bi'ave  soldier.  At  the  battle  of  the  Wilderness,  while  leading 
his  men,  he  was  severely  wounded  in  the  thigh,  and  Avas  obliged  to 
return  home.  On  partially  recovering  he  returned  to  his  regiment, 
and  at  Cedar  Creek,  Oct.  17,  1864,  was  again  severely  wounded  in 
the  thigh,  and  died.  His  sufferings,  although  very  great,  were  borne 
with  remarkable  firmness  and  fortitude.  It  was  purely  for  the  love 
of  his  countiy  that  he  had  enlisted  in  its  service,  and  his  life  was 
offered  a  willing  sacrifice  in  its  defense. 


University  of 
Connecticut 

Libraries 


m. 


■^. 


■V\\,>vi^)ii;i»vi.'», 


^  M:iif. 


Vim 


